i agree with your mccarthy comparison, it's kind of a poor man's No Country For Old Men to me. still solid though. i wrote this capsule on that one at the time:
"not subtle or very well-written (it's sheridan, go figure), with near-KILLING THEM SOFTLY levels of sledgehammer cynicism re: the U$A'n dream, but interesting for how its traditional archetypes fit into & are bred by modern america. a cowboy protects his own via dubiously "noble" lawbreaking, a sheriff serves the exploitative system, the 'indians' and the poor are trampled underfoot, the snake keeps eating its own tail. the difference, this time, is neither gets to enjoy a peaceful retirement."
i wish there were more modern westerns, i'm glad there's been a slight resurgence lately. Deadwood is far beyond anything else as far as 21st century westerns go, and Justified is the best straight up pulpy (halfway-)western saga, so TV wins easily, which is kind of a shame tbh. The Assassination of Jesse James... would be my favourite movie western of this century, and i suppose The Homesman is my fav of this decade? slim pickings.