Hell or High Water (2016) is a modern Western crime drama with a soul — a film that blends powerful performances, sharp social commentary, and gripping suspense. Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Taylor Sheridan, it tells the story of two brothers who go on a bank-robbing spree to save their family land, all while being hunted by a wily Texas Ranger nearing retirement.
Do you remember the details behind every dusty highway, stolen dollar, and quiet standoff? Take this 10-question trivia quiz and prove your knowledge of one of the most acclaimed crime dramas of the 2010s. Only sharp-eyed movie fans will make it through without getting caught!
Hell or High Water (2016) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Toby Howard in Hell or High Water (2016)?
Correct Answer: Chris Pine
Chris Pine delivers a quiet, emotionally charged performance as Toby Howard, a divorced father determined to secure a future for his sons. Far from his usual action-hero roles, Pine portrays Toby with understated intensity — a man weighed down by hardship, guilt, and a desperate sense of justice. His calm demeanor contrasts sharply with his volatile brother, Tanner, creating a layered family dynamic at the heart of the story.
- What motivates Toby and Tanner to rob banks?
Correct Answer: To save their family ranch
The central motivation behind the brothers’ crime spree isn’t greed — it’s survival. Their late mother left behind a reverse mortgage, and the bank is poised to seize the family ranch. Toby learns that there’s oil on the land and wants to use the profits to break the cycle of poverty and provide for his children. The robberies are aimed specifically at the same bank threatening to foreclose — making their actions feel like poetic, if unlawful, justice.
- Which actor plays Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton?
Correct Answer: Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges received an Academy Award nomination for his role as Marcus Hamilton, a Texas Ranger on the cusp of retirement. His portrayal is rich with dry humor, weary wisdom, and quiet toughness. Hamilton is both a relic of the old West and a sharp observer of the changing times, and his scenes often reflect the fading presence of traditional lawmen in a world shaped by modern economic despair.
- What type of banks do the brothers target?
Correct Answer: Branches of the same regional bank
Toby and Tanner target only branches of Texas Midlands Bank — the institution that’s trying to repossess their land. Their method is precise and focused, highlighting how their crimes are not random but rooted in personal vendetta. By laundering the stolen money through the very same bank, they plan to pay off the mortgage and reclaim the property, making the system work against itself.
- What is the main setting (U.S. state) of the film?
Correct Answer: Texas
The story unfolds across dusty, economically struggling towns in West Texas. The setting is integral to the film’s tone and themes — oil rigs, pawn shops, and billboards for debt relief set the backdrop for a modern Western steeped in recession-era malaise. The landscape becomes a character itself, representing both the decay of the American dream and the grit of those trying to hold onto it.
- How are the robberies planned to avoid being traced?
Correct Answer: Only steal loose cash from drawers
The brothers follow a strict rule: no marked bills, no large denominations from the vault — just loose cash from the tellers’ drawers. This makes it harder for authorities to track the money and avoids triggering serious federal attention. The method shows Toby’s calculating mind at work, balancing risk against reward while keeping violence to a minimum whenever possible.
- What is the relationship between Toby and Tanner Howard?
Correct Answer: They are brothers
Toby and Tanner are siblings, but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Tanner (played by Ben Foster) is a reckless ex-con with a penchant for chaos, while Toby is calm, strategic, and burdened by a moral code. Their relationship adds depth and heartbreak to the narrative, as the love between them is often complicated by Tanner’s unpredictability and ultimate fate.
- What is Ranger Marcus Hamilton’s defining personality trait?
Correct Answer: Dry wit and sarcasm
Marcus Hamilton is known for his deadpan humor and constant banter, especially with his partner, Alberto. His teasing — often culturally insensitive — masks a deep affection and mutual respect. His sharp tongue and sharp mind make him a compelling figure: at once a source of comic relief and a symbol of fading lawman honor. His dry wit gives the film its unique tone, balancing melancholy with dark humor.
- Why is the family ranch in danger of being lost?
Correct Answer: Reverse mortgage with the bank
Before her death, the brothers’ mother took out a reverse mortgage, unaware that the bank would exploit it to seize the property. Toby learns that the bank plans to foreclose soon — despite the oil discovered beneath the land. This financial manipulation is part of the film’s broader critique of predatory lending, poverty, and how institutions exploit the vulnerable. It provides the moral justification for the brothers’ actions in the eyes of the audience.
- What is a recurring theme in the film?
Correct Answer: Economic hardship and justice
Hell or High Water is a crime thriller wrapped in social commentary. It explores how systemic poverty, corporate greed, and broken institutions force ordinary people into extraordinary — and illegal — acts. The film questions the morality of crime when committed for survival and paints a portrait of modern America where the line between right and wrong is blurred by desperation. This theme runs through every scene, making the film resonate far beyond its Western genre trappings.
