The Burrowers is a horror/western movie directed by J.T. Petty and released in 2008. The story takes place in the Dakota Territories in 1879, where a family of settlers disappears without a trace. A group of men, including Fergus Coffey (Karl Geary), the fiancé of one of the missing women, is hired by the local sheriff (Doug Hutchison) to find and rescue the missing people.
At first, the men suspect that the native tribes in the area are responsible for the abduction, and tensions rise between the men and the local Sioux. However, as the search progresses, they discover that a much more insidious threat is lurking in the underground tunnels beneath the prairies.
The Burrowers are a group of subterranean creatures that live in the soil and hunt by burrowing up to the surface. They are large, insectoid monsters with sharp teeth and claws, and they are highly adaptable to their surroundings. With the help of a native scout (William Mapother), the men soon realize that they are dealing with a new kind of menace that is far more dangerous than anything they had encountered before.
The movie has been noted for its blend of horror and western elements, as well as its commentary on issues such as racism, colonialism, and the exploitation of natural resources. The Burrowers received mixed reviews upon its release, but it has since gained a cult following for its unique premise and execution.