FANTASTIC FEST 2022: ‘Quantum Cowboys’ Brings

Quantum Cowboys defies explanation. That’s often said of certain films, but what director/co-writer Geoff Marslett has brought to the small screen will truly boggle minds. At first glance, it seems like a standard Western comedy. Best friends Frank (Kiowa Gordon) and Bruno (John Way) watch the musician Blacky (Howe Gelb) perform, but poor actions on Frank’s part lead to Blacky’s death. This is where things get tricky: Frank ends up spending time in prison, but when he reunites with Bruno he insists that Blacky is alive. Throw in a mysterious woman named Linde (Lily Gladstone) who needs their help, thieving “salesmen” Colfax (David Arquette) and Depew (Frank Mosley), and a host of strange occurrences, and the duo has their work cut out for them.

Confused? You’re not alone. According to Marslett during a Q&A, he wanted Quantum Cowboys to do two things: reflect the reality of life in the so-called “Wild West” and the reality of multiverse theory. The idea of a multiverse has been the big ticket in Hollywood, serving as the base for a peculiar physician’s adventures and a film that unpacks layers of generational trauma. It was even used to bring together everyone who’s ever been Spider-Man – twice! But how Marslett and Gelb approach the concept is entirely different. As it turns out, multiple worlds existing in the same space would lead to destruction – and our actions, or even observation of certain actions, can change their outcome.

This is depicted in a wide range of animation styles, which results in some beautiful yet trippy imagery.  Rotoscoping and hand-drawn imagery blend beautifully with live-action footage, making it feel like characters are literally being draawnSome segments even take place in Claymation! And at the center of it all is Memory (Patrick Page), who attempts to figure out the correct sequence of events. Four different animation studios, including the Austin-based Minnow Mountain, provided animation services for Quantum Cowboys, and their work is phenomenal. Given how many animated series are currently being stricken from existence, this film should be a great reminder of what animation can bring to the table – it’s not all fancy princesses or Homer Simpson wannabes.

The cast seems game for Marslett’s madness, and it’s their interactions that serve as the nucleus around which this movie revolves. Gordon and Way serve as a mirror to Mosley and Arquette; the former duo have a genuine bond and stick out for each other while the latter are craven opportunists willing to do anything to get ahead. Gladstone serves as the standout – her Linde is a woman who’s learned how to deal with whatever life throws at her, even if it is an alternate universe. It’s evident in her relaxed pose and nonchalant speech, and it helps endear her to the audience. Plus, seeing a Western with an Indigenous lead is a nice change of pace from the stubby white men who usually dominate the genre.

Quantum Cowboys mixes together animation, the Western genre, and quantum mechanics for a trippy film that defies comprehension. This is a film that has to be seen to be believed – several times, as Marslett hinted that there were things even the cast didn’t pick up on. But in a time where animation is between a rock and a hard place, it’s a reminder that the art form can result in some unconventional yet well-crafted stories.

Quantum Cowboys is part of Fantastic Fest 2022’s Burnt Ends selection.