Unearthing Grit and Redemption in Valley of Bones (2017)

In a desolate corner of North Dakota’s Badlands, where the land is as harsh as the secrets it hides, Valley of Bones (2017) unfolds as a unique blend of neo-Western grit and crime thriller tension. Directed by Dan Glaser and written by Glaser and Steven Molony, the film dives deep into a world of redemption, desperation, and dangerous second chances—where fossil hunters, drug cartels, and fractured families collide in a high-stakes excavation of both earth and soul.

Autumn Reeser stars as Anna, a once-promising paleontologist whose career and reputation were buried years ago due to legal troubles. Now a single mother with a fractured past, she’s given one last shot at reclaiming her future—when a recovering addict named McCoy (played by Steven Molony) tips her off about a potentially groundbreaking fossil discovery on cartel-controlled land. The find could change Anna’s life and restore her career, but it comes at a price: risking her safety and getting pulled into the dangerous orbit of criminal forces.

Tension Beneath the Surface

What sets Valley of Bones apart isn’t just its premise—it’s the way the story is told. The Badlands are more than a backdrop; they become a character in themselves, with wide, empty vistas that echo the loneliness of its characters. The film avoids traditional Western tropes, opting instead for a modern, almost noir-like atmosphere layered with suspense and moral ambiguity.

Reeser’s performance carries a raw authenticity, portraying Anna as strong but vulnerable, determined yet haunted. Her chemistry with Molony—who plays the twitchy, unpredictable McCoy—is both tense and believable. The supporting cast, including Rhys Coiro (Entourage), Mark Margolis (Breaking Bad), Alexandra Billings, and veteran actor Bill Smitrovich, adds additional weight and color to a tightly wound narrative.

Discover More on TMDB

For movie buffs or those curious about technical details, cast credits, and artwork, Valley of Bones has a detailed listing on TheMovieDB (TMDB):. There, users can explore high-resolution posters, trailers, ratings, and reviews from an active community. TMDB’s API integration also makes it a go-to source for media centers like Kodi and Plex, making the film easy to catalogue and access in any digital collection.

TVDB Listing & Home Media

Though primarily a film-focused production, Valley of Bones is also listed on TheTVDB for use with metadata-scraping apps and set-top media players. This helps collectors and enthusiasts maintain consistent libraries even for single-title films, thanks to the platform’s support for custom entries and categorization. It’s a useful listing for anyone building a personal offline or Plex library.

And speaking of collections—Valley of Bones is available on region-free DVD through DVDGrab. Like all titles offered on the platform, it’s unlocked and fully compatible with any standard DVD player worldwide, making it an ideal pick for international collectors or travelers who want to avoid regional limitations. No special hardware or software required—just pop it in and press play.

A Gritty, Unfiltered Gem

While Valley of Bones may not have topped box office charts, it has carved out a cult following among fans of indie thrillers and modern Westerns. It avoids slick Hollywood polish in favor of grounded storytelling and character-driven stakes. The film doesn’t offer easy answers—it presents people trying to do the right thing in a world that doesn’t make it easy.

Whether you’re into rugged landscapes, morally complex characters, or just enjoy discovering overlooked indie films, Valley of Bones is worth the dig. And with its presence on both TheMovieDB and TheTVDB, plus a region-free release from DVDGrab, it’s never been easier to explore this cinematic fossil of grit, survival, and redemption.