Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1: A Long, Uneven Prologue: Kevin Costner deserves recognition for transforming what is essentially a three-hour introduction into something that occasionally holds our interest. However, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 often meanders aimlessly. While some moments offer intriguing glimpses into classic Western tropes, the overall result is a disjointed experience.
The film offers brief nods to classics like The Searchers, but these are overshadowed by a more mundane and sluggish narrative. Just as you begin to get invested in a character or storyline, the film shifts focus, leaving you feeling disoriented. Costner makes his appearance only about an hour into the film, and his role is not the last surprise the movie throws at you. Horizon: An American Saga showcases Kevin Costner’s ambition to reinvent the Western genre with a sweeping narrative spanning 15 years. The film is packed with various elements, but they lack cohesion, resulting in a work that feels neither memorable nor substantial.
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1
- Rating: R
- Genre: Western, Drama
- Synopsis: Follows a complex, 15-year period of expansion and settlement in the American West before and after the Civil War.
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Director: Kevin Costner
Cast: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Michael Angarano, Jena Malone
Writer: Jon Baird
The film Horizon: An American Saga introduces a host of characters navigating the turbulent period of pre-and post-Civil War America. Given that this film is the first in a series Costner plans to develop, some of its shortcomings are understandable. Yet, even as a debut in a planned franchise, it should be able to stand on its own. Compared to other recent films like Dune: Part One or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which faced criticism for being only partial stories, Horizon feels like a drawn-out television pilot. It’s ironic since Costner reportedly left Yellowstone to work on this project.
The film lacks thematic and narrative coherence, presenting itself more as a disconnected anthology rather than a unified story. This film might mark the beginning of an ambitious new era for epic Westerns, but it has a long way to go before reaching that goal. Unlike Dances with Wolves or Open Range, which succeeded due to well-crafted characters and unique contributions to the genre, this film feels indistinguishable from lesser Westerns. It’s often derivative, forgettable, and lacks fresh ideas.
What Is ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ About?
Set in 1859, the film provides initial snapshots of various characters trying to carve out their lives in the American West, alongside the Indigenous people already living there. This represents a central conflict, with ongoing clashes between these groups. Costner and co-writer Jon Baird attempt to avoid common tropes by exploring the perspectives and future of Indigenous characters. However, this narrative thread quickly fades into the background.
The film primarily follows a few central characters: Frances (Sienna Miller), who seeks to rebuild her life after a family tragedy and forms a bond with First Lt. Trent Gephardt (Sam Worthington) amid the looming Civil War; and Hayes Ellison (Costner), a loner who becomes entangled in a family dispute and ends up on a slow journey with Marigola (Abbey Lee). While the film introduces various characters, many, including Will Patton, appear briefly and lack significant development. Despite the film’s rapid pace, its aim and direction remain unclear, leaving the audience with a sense of aimlessness.
Even though some elements, like quick shootouts and horse-riding sequences, cater to Western enthusiasts, the overall narrative feels inconsequential. The film moves swiftly but fails to create a compelling story.
‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ Ends With a Whimper
The film’s conclusion feels abrupt, lacking both resolution and impactful change. It appears that Costner’s directing efforts, including The Postman, have reached a new low. The substantial investment in the project results in a film that resembles a television series more than a cinematic epic. It’s neither a sweeping narrative nor a character study, and it remains to be seen if it will evolve into one.
The film ends with a montage teasing the next installment, which feels more like a promotional trailer than a satisfying conclusion. It concludes with a sense of inevitability, akin to a TV show’s cliffhanger, rather than a meaningful finale. Despite its lofty goals, Horizon: An American Saga often feels like a disjointed collection of scenes rather than a cohesive story. The film ultimately feels like a prolonged setup for future entries, ending with a less-than-exciting note and a reminder to stay tuned.