Kill or Be Killed

In the autumn of 1900 a veteran outlaw named Claude Barbee decides it's time to cash in on an old score. He leads a ragged band of train robbers across Texas, hoping to recover money hidden after a heist that went wrong. Along the way they face suspicion, scarcity, and the kind of small-town tensions that can turn partners into enemies. The film follows Claude as he tries to keep control of men who are hungry, haunted, and impatient, while past mistakes and local mysteries complicate a plan that was supposed to secure his retirement. The story keeps its focus tight, favoring atmosphere and mood over flashy set pieces, and avoids revealing the fate of the gang.

Directed by Duane Graves and created by Justin Meeks, the film was developed as an original Western-horror hybrid. Justin Meeks also stars as Claude "Sweet Tooth" Barbee, anchoring an ensemble cast in a period Texas setting.

Commercially, Kill or Be Killed had a limited theatrical footprint, with no widely reported box office totals. Its release was modest and it reached most viewers through specialty screenings and home formats rather than a major wide release.

Critical response skewed toward the negative, reflected in a low user rating on aggregate sites, though some viewers appreciated its mood and raw approach. Reviewers noted the film emphasizes atmosphere and moral ambiguity, with themes around loyalty, greed, and the erosion of legend into brutality. Performances and period detail were mixed in reception, contributing to its uneven reviews.

Among fans of genre blends, the movie has attracted attention for mixing Western, horror, and mystery elements. Its gritty tone and the oddball character names leave an impression, and it tends to be discussed in niche circles that follow indie genre films rather than mainstream audiences.