Josh Brolin
Buck Ferguson
Overview
A star of hunting videos strives to bond with his 12-year-old son on a wilderness trip but learns familial connections can't be forced.
Cast
8 people
Danny McBride
Don
Scoot McNairy
Greg
Montana Jordan
Jaden
William Cowboy Reed
Deer Hunter (uncredited)
Reviews
6 min readThe Hunter’s Blind Spot
I’ve seen this movie twice now, and both times I’ve left the theater (well, the couch) with the same nagging question: Why does this feel so much sadder than it’s supposed to be? The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter is, on paper, a comedy about a man who films himself hunting deer for a living. Josh Brolin plays Buck Ferguson, a minor celebrity in the world of outdoor sports programming, who takes his 12-year-old son Jaden on a weekend hunting trip in hopes of repairing their strained relationship.
The premise sounds like the setup for a broad, absurdist farce—think Napoleon Dynamite with more camo and fewer tater tots. But somewhere along the way, the film stumbles into something quieter, messier, and far more interesting than its genre trappings suggest.
That stumble isn’t always graceful. The movie’s tone wobbles like a fawn on ice, veering from slapstick to sincerity without quite finding its footing. And yet, I can’t shake the feeling that the wobble itself is the point.
This is a film about a man who doesn’t know how to connect with his son, and it’s directed by a man who doesn’t seem entirely sure how to connect with his audience. The result is a comedy that keeps undershooting its jokes, only to land on something far more revealing.
Buck Ferguson is a man out of time. He’s a relic of a very specific kind of American masculinity: the kind that measures self-worth in pounds of venison and the number of subscribers to a YouTube channel called Buck Ferguson’s Whitetail Adventures. His entire identity is performative, a carefully constructed persona built around the myth of the rugged outdoorsman.
The problem? Buck isn’t actually very good at hunting. He’s good at filming hunting.
He’s good at delivering folksy monologues to the camera, at selling the fantasy of the wilderness as a place where men are men and deer are trophies. But when it comes to the actual act of killing an animal, he’s all talk. The deer always seem to outsmart him, slipping away just as he’s about to pull the trigger.
It’s a running gag, but it’s also the film’s central metaphor: Buck is a man who’s spent so long performing masculinity that he’s forgotten how to actually be a man.
That performance extends to his relationship with his son. Jaden, played by Montana Jordan with a mix of adolescent boredom and quiet resentment, is the audience surrogate in more ways than one. He’s not just watching his father’s antics; he’s filming them, operating the camera for Buck’s show while also documenting the trip on his own phone.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 5.4/10
"A quirky comedy with strong performances but falls short of delivering consistent laughs or depth."
Viewers appreciate the chemistry between Josh Brolin and Danny McBride, finding their dynamic amusing and engaging. However, the film’s humor is hit-or-miss, with many feeling it lacks the sharpness or originality to stand out in the comedy genre. latestnetflix.com's read is that the story’s simplicity and uneven pacing leave some wanting more substance or better execution.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Josh Brolin and Danny McBride’s chemistry is a highlight, with their interactions providing the film’s most enjoyable moments.
- Quirky humor The film’s offbeat and sometimes absurd comedy resonates with those who enjoy Jody Hill’s signature style.
- Unique premise The unconventional setting and focus on deer hunting as a backdrop for comedy offer a fresh take on the genre.
Common complaints
- Inconsistent humor Many viewers find the jokes uneven, with some scenes falling flat or feeling forced rather than naturally funny.
- Thin plot The story lacks depth, relying too heavily on the leads’ performances without enough narrative substance to sustain interest.
- Pacing issues The film’s slow or uneven pacing makes it feel longer than its runtime, with some scenes dragging without clear purpose.
- Niche appeal The humor and themes are polarizing, with many feeling the film’s style won’t resonate with broader audiences.
Recommended for
Fans of offbeat comedies Josh Brolin and Danny McBride fans Jody Hill enthusiasts Lighthearted indie comedy lovers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter: Behind the Scenes of Jody Hill’s Offbeat Netflix Comedy
The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (2018) is a Netflix original film that blends comedy and drama through the lens of hunting culture, directed by Jody Hill and starring Josh Brolin, Danny McBride, and Montana Jordan. latestnetflix.com's take is that while the movie didn’t dominate headlines, its behind-the-scenes dynamics and premiere at SXSW offer a glimpse into the film’s quirky charm and the creative team’s rapport.
A Director and Cast Reunited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TACiSkehPJg
Jody Hill, known for his work on Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals, teamed up again with frequent collaborator Danny McBride for The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter. The duo’s partnership has been a staple of Hill’s projects, and this film was no exception. Josh Brolin joined the cast, bringing his signature gravitas to the role of Buck Ferguson, a celebrity hunter navigating a strained relationship with his son (Montana Jordan). In a promotional interview, Brolin, Hill, and McBride discussed the film’s themes, with Brolin emphasizing the authenticity of hunting culture—a key element of the story .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIwccgV2whM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8clhDMXq0HM
The film’s tone balances humor and pathos, a hallmark of Hill’s style. While the evidence doesn’t reveal specific on-set anecdotes, the chemistry between Brolin and McBride—who play off each other in the trailer—suggests a dynamic that likely translated well to the screen , .
Premiere at SXSW and Early Reactions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN6KKr4Y0Ys
The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter premiered at the 2018 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, where Hill and the cast attended the screening. The festival circuit often serves as a testing ground for indie and offbeat films, and while the evidence doesn’t detail audience reactions, the film’s inclusion at SXSW suggests it was positioned as a quirky, character-driven piece rather than a mainstream blockbuster .
Reviews were mixed. On SensCritique, the film holds a 5.4/10 rating based on 182 votes, indicating a lukewarm reception from viewers 
. Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t provide a critic score in the available evidence, but the film’s niche appeal—rooted in hunting culture and father-son dynamics—may have limited its broader appeal .
A Netflix Original with Limited Buzz
As a Netflix original, The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter had the advantage of a built-in streaming audience, but it didn’t generate the same buzz as some of the platform’s higher-profile releases. The film’s trailer, released on Netflix’s official YouTube channel, highlights its comedic and dramatic elements, with Brolin’s Buck Ferguson delivering deadpan humor and Montana Jordan’s Jaden providing a counterbalance of youthful skepticism , .
The evidence doesn’t reveal box office numbers or streaming metrics, but the film’s existence as a Netflix original suggests it was likely a modest production aimed at a specific audience. Its runtime of 83 minutes aligns with Netflix’s preference for tight, bingeable content .
The Verdict: A Cult Favorite in the Making?
While The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter didn’t become a breakout hit, its blend of comedy and drama, coupled with the creative team’s pedigree, could earn it a cult following over time. The film’s exploration of masculinity, family, and hunting culture—topics rarely given such a nuanced treatment in mainstream comedy—sets it apart from more conventional fare.
For fans of Jody Hill and Danny McBride’s work, the movie is a natural extension of their brand of humor, even if it didn’t resonate universally. With limited behind-the-scenes details available, the film remains a curious footnote in the careers of its stars, but one that may yet find its audience.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.