Netflix's Ransom Canyon Receives Mixed Reviews Amid New Mexico Filming

Netflix's new drama series Ransom Canyon, starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, follows the intersecting lives and rivalries of three ranching families in Texas Hill Country, though it was filmed in New Mexico for its similar landscapes and production incentives. The show draws comparisons to Yellowstone and Virgin River, featuring familiar themes of land disputes, family legacy, romance, and melodrama. Despite its striking scenery and efforts to employ local talent and sustainable practices, critics have widely panned the series as formulaic and uninspired, with some calling it a bland or derivative attempt to capitalize on the success of other Western dramas. The plot centers on Staten Kirkland, a rancher coping with personal tragedy, and the complex relationships and power struggles among the townspeople. While some reviewers acknowledge the series' appeal as easy-to-watch background entertainment with soapy elements, most agree it falls short of being must-see television. Still, Ransom Canyon may satisfy viewers looking for a predictable, slow-paced Western romance.