“What Happened to That Standing Ovation?” – Kevin Costner’s Worst Nightmare Comes True for Horizon Saga Despite 7-Minute Applause at Cannes
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga Receives Mixed Reactions Despite Standing Ovation at Cannes
Kevin Costner’s long-anticipated passion project, Horizon: An American Saga, made its debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival to a promising start. The Western epic earned a seven-minute standing ovation, leaving the actor-director visibly emotional as he thanked the audience and spoke about the journey ahead with the remaining three parts of the saga.
However, that enthusiastic reception hasn’t carried over to the film’s critical response. Upon release, Horizon opened to a disappointing 30% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews, revealing a stark contrast between festival applause and broader critical opinion. Costner, who left Yellowstone to fully commit to this four-part Western series, reportedly invested significant time, effort, and personal resources into the project.
Critics Divided on Costner’s Western Epic
Following previous successes in the genre like Dances with Wolves, Open Range, and Yellowstone, Costner’s return to the American frontier in Horizon was expected to be another triumph. While some critics praised the film’s sweeping cinematography and ambition — “With mountains and mesas like these, who needs CG?” — others found fault with its sprawling narrative, sluggish pacing, and lack of cohesive storytelling. One reviewer noted, “There is no arc to what happens, just the seemingly unending introduction of characters.”
On Metacritic, the film holds a middling score of 50 out of 100, signaling a mixed reception overall. Additionally, reports from Cannes indicated that while the ovation was genuine, several audience members walked out during the film’s three-hour runtime — with some not returning at all.
Fan Reactions: Confusion, Concern, and Loyalty
Fans have taken to social media to express surprise and concern over the film’s lukewarm reviews. One user on X (formerly Twitter) questioned, “What happened to that standing ovation?” Others voiced support for Costner’s vision, with some suggesting that poor critic scores could actually be a good sign: “If the critics rated it low, then it has a chance.”
Despite the critical divide, many fans remain committed to seeing Horizon: An American Saga, especially those who admire Costner’s dedication to the Western genre. The film, set during the American Civil War, explores the expansion of the American West and marks the beginning of a four-part cinematic journey. The sequel, Horizon: Chapter 2, is already slated for release on August 16, 2024.
