A couple of years earlier, Kevin Costner was the revered cowboy character John Dutton, a role beloved by many. However, Costner seems to have lost his footing in the cinematic landscape. With his exit from Yellowstone and the disappointing outcome of the first part of his passion project, Horizon, Costner has experienced a significant decline as both an actor and filmmaker. His three-hour-long film, set in the Old West, failed to ignite excitement among fans and audiences alike.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga ended up being a financial disaster, grossing only $38.7 million after he personally invested $50 million into the first part (via The Numbers). He has also put an additional $50 million into the much-anticipated second part, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year but has not yet hit theaters for a wider audience. The failure to connect with a large segment of viewers can largely be attributed to the manner in which he chose to roll out his film.
The film has faced considerable criticism, particularly for failing to entertain as a self-contained feature. The first installment involved extensive context-setting, which, combined with its lengthy runtime, left many feeling unsatisfied. Even before this first film reached theaters, Costner announced plans for filming the subsequent two parts of the series, which together are expected to total 12 hours of storytelling.
Many fans believe that Costner made a significant mistake by opting for a theatrical release instead of a streaming or television format. A pertinent critique of the film is regarding its myriad characters; many felt that no single character received adequate development or focus. In contrast, a series like Yellowstone deftly established its characters over time without the pressures of establishing everything in one go. Costner’s ambitious narrative required a longer form of storytelling, which he attempted to condense into a segmented series of films with the hope of reaping substantial financial rewards. Unfortunately, this led to a film that felt incomplete and fragmented to audiences.
Despite the disappointing reception of the first installment of Horizon, Costner remains determined to complete the production of the remaining films in the saga. His newly established production company, Territory Film Studios, continues to invest in the next two parts. However, there are growing calls from critics and industry insiders urging Costner to consider transitioning the final parts to a television format.
In an effort to gauge how audiences truly felt about his film, Costner has also looked to streaming success as a measure. Horizon: An American Saga – Part 1 began streaming on Netflix, where it garnered over 40 million views, making it the most streamed film in January 2025. Costner expressed enthusiasm for this small victory, claiming it reflected a positive reception of his film months after its theatrical release. At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, he stated, “I think it’s interesting that the movie came out six months ago and people are still finding it with little push from anywhere. It’s out there. It’s standing amongst the biggest movies of the year, and it was streamed more than them. It tells me that people want to go places in their heart and their mind.”
Interestingly, many of Costner’s devoted fans maintain that he can rebound with the remaining films in the Horizon saga. His past triumph with his 1990 Western classic, Dances with Wolves, serves as a testament to his ability to create compelling cinema, reminding supporters that he still has the potential to craft emotionally resonant and stunning films. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix and Max, allowing audiences to revisit and reassess the film on their own terms.
