Henry Thomas Heads 'Due West' - Interview

Legendary Actor, Henry Thomas Talks About his Role as Pastor Mike in the Texas Based Drama, 'Due West' now on Digital and VOD.

I first saw “Due West,” at the Round Top Film Festival in November, 2025, where I also spoke with co-writer-director Evan Miller about his commitment to letting the story unfold without judging its characters or prescribing what they should do. That conversation and the film’s thoughtful refusal to offer easy answers, has stayed with me ever since. Now, as “Due West,” is available on Digital and VOD from Cineverse, I had the opportunity to continue that conversation by speaking with Henry Thomas, who plays Pastor Mike, about the film’s enduring themes.

The Texas-shot drama stars Adrianne Palicki as a woman traveling across West Texas to obtain urgent medical care following an unintended pregnancy, encountering unexpected people and mounting obstacles along the way. Following its world premiere at the 2025 Dallas International Film Festival, “Due West,” went on to win Best Feature Film at both the Burbank International Film Festival and El Paso Film Festival, along with Best Texas Narrative at the LoneStar Film Festival.

The ensemble cast includes Adrianne Palicki (“Friday Night Lights”, “John Wick”), Henry Thomas (“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”, “Legends of the Fall”), Ciara Bravo (“Cherry”, “Small Engine Repair”), Matt Lauria (“Friday Night Lights”, “Sheriff Country”), and Odette Annable (“Cloverfield”, “The Unborn”). Directed by Miller from a screenplay he co-wrote with Hardy Janson has lasted with me these nine months.

I spoke with Thomas about portraying Pastor Mike as a compassionate shepherd who guides rather than judges, respecting the free will of his parishioners instead of imposing rigid theology. Our conversation also explored how “Due West,” embraces the complicated space between right and wrong, morality and amorality, and free will and predestination, continuing the same thoughtful dialogue that first struck me during my conversation with Miller nearly a year earlier.

“Due West,” is now available on VOD from Cineverse.