Forget Yellowstone: Kevin Costner’s Brutal Neo-Western Thriller Finds a New Streaming Home

Kevin Costner has been a defining presence in Westerns for decades, but it wasn’t until 2018’s Yellowstone, from franchise mastermind Taylor Sheridan, that he fully cemented his status as a neo-Western icon. Since then, Costner has delivered several standout entries in the genre, and one of his strongest is arriving on streaming in the new year.

Released in 2020, Let Him Go is directed, written, and co-produced by Thomas Bezucha and is based on Larry Watson’s 2013 novel of the same name. The film stars Costner alongside Academy Award nominee Diane Lane as a grieving couple who find themselves thrust into danger after their grandson is taken from them. Featuring strong supporting performances from Lesley Manville, Kayli Carter, Will Brittain, and Jeffrey Donovan, Let Him Go unfolds as a slow-burning neo-Western thriller that blends heartbreak with sudden, shocking violence.

Let Him Go Is a Slow-Burning Revenge Thriller With a “Brutal Climax”

At the time of its release, Let Him Go resonated with both critics and audiences. The film holds an 85% critics’ score and a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise largely focused on its performances, even as some critics noted an uneven balance between adult drama and revenge thriller. MovieWeb’s Julian Roman acknowledged the film’s deliberate pacing but highlighted its “simmering tension” and unforgettable “brutal climax.”

The story centers on rival grandmothers battling for custody of the same child, steadily building tension until it erupts into graphic violence. The film takes its time establishing emotional depth and character relationships before pushing its leads into harrowing territory. While the pacing can feel sluggish at times, it accelerates toward a devastating finale. Its stark period setting and desolate landscapes heighten the sense of dread throughout.

Audiences were advised not to expect a loud, action-heavy experience, with many describing Let Him Go instead as a “sensitive vigilante tale.” The Chicago Sun-Times praised the pairing of Costner and Lane as “movie heaven,” calling the film “understated in its quiet rhythms and vast beauty,” and noting that it is ultimately “punctuated by shocking moments of violence.”

Following Kevin Costner’s abrupt exit from Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western universe continues to expand, with multiple spin-offs on the way. Meanwhile, Costner remains committed to bringing traditional Western epics to the screen, though not without difficulty. His ambitious Horizon franchise has faced setbacks, reportedly ending three films earlier than planned, with Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 delayed indefinitely and Costner currently facing multiple lawsuits related to alleged misconduct on set.