Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ Struggles to Find Direction in Sprawling Western Epic

Kevin Costner, known for his contributions to the Western genre with successful projects like ‘Dances With Wolves‘ and ‘Yellowstone,’ directs ‘Horizon,’ a sprawling new frontier tale that struggles to captivate its audience.

‘Horizon,’ set in 1859, spans from the rugged terrain of San Pedro Valley to the Apache-ridden Montana Territory, chronicling the clash between settlers and Indigenous tribes in a vast landscape.

The narrative, spread across multiple plot threads, meanders through scenes and characters without a clear direction, making it feel more like a TV miniseries draft than a feature film.

The film, clocking in at three hours, introduces a slew of characters like Lucy, played by Sienna Miller, and a brooding loner portrayed by Kevin Costner, who attempts to navigate the escalating tensions between settlers and Indigenous people.

As the story unfolds, it delves into the complexities of Indigenous resistance against settler encroachment, but takes its time to portray Native characters with sensitivity.

Notable scenes include a harrowing Apache raid on Horizon, and the intersecting storylines involving characters like Marigold, played by Abbey Lee, and a trio of English settlers led by Luke Wilson‘s Matthew Van Weyden.

Despite its picturesque Western landscapes and immersive period design, ‘Horizon’ falls short in connecting its narrative dots and providing ample depth to its characters.

With Kevin Costner’s stoic presence anchoring the film, ‘Horizon’ aims to break away from traditional Western tropes but struggles to engage audiences with its fragmented storytelling.

As the film sets the stage for future chapters, the question remains whether it can streamline its narrative and deliver a more cohesive Western saga worthy of its iconic backdrop.