Americana Trailer & Fun Facts
Americana Synopsis:
Americana is a modern Western crime thriller that revolves around the illegal sale of a sacred Lakota Ghost Shirt in a small town in South Dakota. The story follows a reserved waitress, played by Sydney Sweeney, and a lovesick veteran, played by Paul Walter Hauser, as they search for the shirt. Their journey brings them into conflict with a ruthless criminal, played by Eric Dane, and an artifact dealer, played by Simon Rex. Along the way, they cross paths with a dedicated Indigenous leader, portrayed by Zahn McClarnon, who wants to get the shirt back for his people, as well as a woman, played by Halsey, who is running from a hidden past. This leads to a violent and darkly comedic showdown that examines issues of cultural recognition and the American dream.
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Release Date: In theaters August 15th, 2025
Americana Fun Facts:
Star-Studded Indie:
Though it is an independent movie, "Americana" features an unexpectedly strong and well-known cast, which includes Sydney Sweeney ("Euphoria" and "Anyone But You"), Paul Walter Hauser ("Black Bird" and "Richard Jewell"), Eric Dane ("Grey's Anatomy"), Zahn McClarnon ("Reservation Dogs"), Simon Rex ("Red Rocket"), and singer Halsey making her first appearance in a feature film.
From "National Anthem" to "Americana":
The film was first titled "National Anthem" during its production but ultimately changed to "Americana."
Indigenous Focus:
A key element of the story centers on a sacred Lakota Ghost Shirt, highlighting a significant emphasis on Native American culture and issues of reclaiming cultural identity, which enriches the crime storyline.
Directed by Tony Tost:
The film is written and directed by Tony Tost, who is well known for writing TV shows such as "Longmire" and "Damnation," which are contemporary western crime drama and period drama.
Long Production-to-Release Timeline:
"Americana" was filmed in 2022, premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival, Lionsgate acquired distribution rights in 2024, and the film is scheduled to be released in theaters on August 15th, 2025.
Filmed in New Mexico:
Although the story takes place in South Dakota, the main filming for "Americana" actually took place in New Mexico.