When you think of a Western lawman, you usually picture a weathered guy with a thousand-yard stare and a voice that sounds like a shovel hitting gravel. You probably don't immediately think of the guy who wrote "Enter Sandman." But honestly, after seeing James Hetfield in The Thicket, it’s kind of hard to imagine anyone else filling those boots.
Metallica’s frontman isn't exactly a stranger to the screen. Most people remember his turn as Officer Bob Hayward in the Ted Bundy biopic Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. He played the cop who first pulled over Zac Efron’s Bundy. He was solid. Stoic. But The Thicket is a whole different beast. This is a dark, snowy, gritty Western where the mud looks cold enough to freeze your toes off.
James Hetfield plays a character named Simon Deasy, a sheriff (or "deputized henchman," depending on which scene you're watching) who gets tangled up in a hunt for a vicious killer. It’s not just a cameo. He’s in the mix with heavy hitters like Peter Dinklage and Juliette Lewis.
How James Hetfield Ended Up in The Thicket
It turns out director Elliott Lester literally dreamed this up. He woke up one morning with a vision that James Hetfield had to be in this movie. That sounds like a bit of Hollywood PR fluff, but Lester was serious. He spent weeks trying to track down the metal legend.
The breakthrough came through Sacha Gervasi, the guy who directed the famous heavy metal documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil. Within a week, Lester was on a Zoom call with Hetfield.
"I’ve always wanted to do a dark Western," Hetfield reportedly told him.
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That’s the thing about James. He’s a guy who loves the aesthetic of the American West. If you’ve followed Metallica for the last thirty years, you’ve seen the cowboy hats, the horses, and the rugged, "Outlaw Torn" vibe he carries. He didn't need to be convinced; he just needed to be asked.
The Character: Simon Deasy
In the movie, which is based on the 2013 novel by Joe R. Lansdale, the plot follows a bounty hunter named Shorty (Dinklage) who is hired to find a girl kidnapped by a murderer known as Cut Throat Bill (played by a very terrifying Juliette Lewis).
James Hetfield enters the fray as part of the law enforcement presence. He isn't playing a "Rock God." There are no guitars. No "Yeah-Heah!" ad-libs. He’s just Simon Deasy.
One of the coolest parts about his performance is the voice. Hetfield’s speaking voice has this natural, resonant authority. When he’s on screen smoking a cigar in the Canadian snow (they filmed near Calgary), he doesn't look like a guy playing dress-up. He looks like he belongs in 1900s Texas.
- The Look: Long coat, badge, weathered face.
- The Vibe: No-nonsense.
- The Action: He actually gets into a legitimate gunfight.
It’s a supporting role, sure. But it’s a pivotal one that adds a layer of authenticity to the "no-man's-land" atmosphere the film is going for.
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Why This Isn't Just "Casting a Famous Person"
Sometimes movies cast musicians just to get their fans into seats. It usually feels forced. You’re watching the movie, and suddenly, "Hey, that’s Ed Sheeran!" and you’re immediately pulled out of the story.
With James Hetfield in The Thicket, it’s different. He has this raw, unpolished intensity that fits the Western genre perfectly. Zac Efron even commented on this back when they worked together, saying James "crushed it" because he has no fear. He doesn't act like he’s trying to be an actor; he just embodies the presence of the character.
Maybe it’s because he’s spent forty years commanding stages in front of millions of people. Or maybe it’s just because he’s a guy who genuinely appreciates the history and the "lone wolf" archetype of the West.
The Production Grind in Calgary
They filmed this thing in Calgary, Alberta. If you’ve ever been there in the winter, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. The production was long-delayed, but when they finally got to it in 2023, the conditions were brutal.
Hetfield didn't hide in a heated trailer. He was out there in the elements. Director Elliott Lester mentioned that during production, he actually sang "Enter Sandman" at James just for a laugh, which is probably the bravest thing a director has ever done. James took it in stride. He was there to work.
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What This Means for James Hetfield’s Future
Is James retiring from Metallica to become a full-time character actor? Probably not. The band is still touring the world (they’ve been on the M72 world tour for what feels like forever).
But it does show a different side of him. For years, we saw the "Some Kind of Monster" version of James—vulnerable, struggling, and raw. Now we’re seeing "Actor James," a guy who can step into a fictional world and hold his own against a four-time Emmy winner like Peter Dinklage.
How to Watch The Thicket
If you want to see the performance for yourself, here is the deal:
- Release Date: It hit U.S. theaters on September 6, 2024.
- Streaming: Since it was produced in association with Tubi Films, it’s a staple on the Tubi streaming service.
- Rating: It’s Rated R for "strong bloody violence, language, and some sexual content." It’s not a family movie. It’s a mean, lean Western.
If you’re a Metallica fan, you’re going to watch it anyway. But if you’re just a fan of Westerns, it’s worth a look for the atmosphere alone. The film is beautifully shot, and the cast—including Levon Hawke (Ethan Hawke’s son) and Leslie Grace—is surprisingly tight.
James Hetfield in The Thicket isn't a gimmick. It’s a legitimate performance by a man who seems to have found a second calling in playing the "strong, silent type." He doesn't have a ton of lines, but when he’s on screen, you’re looking at him.
If you want to see more of James's transition into acting, go back and watch his Ted Bundy scene first. It’s a great appetizer before the main course of The Thicket. You can also check out Joe R. Lansdale's original book if you want to see how the character of Simon Deasy was written before James brought him to life.
Next Steps:
If you're looking for more of James's work outside of music, you can find The Thicket streaming on Tubi. For those interested in the literary side, Joe R. Lansdale's novel offers a much deeper look into the lore of the Big Thicket area and the backstory of the lawmen involved in the hunt. For a behind-the-scenes look at the casting process, search for the director's interviews on the "Metallica Report" podcast, where they discuss the Zoom calls that brought Papa Het onto the set.