On the Oregon Trail in 1845, three couples travel in covered wagons with duplicitous guide Stephen Meek, but as days pass, and water remains elusive, Emily laments that "he's gotten in over his head." Meek insists that relief lies around the next ridge, but that never becomes the case, the group's bond frays further when a Cayuse Indian locks them in his sights. Always attuned to the rhythms of nature, Reichardt has produced a meditative take on the Western genre that is more enigmatic than most. A beautiful, minimalist vision of harsh times.