“Kevin Costner’s Sci-Fi Western: The Biggest Misstep of His Career”
Kevin Costner has faced considerable challenges in 2024, with his latest project, Horizon: An American Saga, struggling both at the box office and with mixed reviews from viewers and critics. While Horizon has been criticized, it isn’t Costner’s most infamous flop. That distinction belongs to The Postman (1997), a film that stands as one of the biggest failures in his career.
Directed by and starring Costner, The Postman is set in a post-apocalyptic 2013. The story follows a drifter who adopts the role of a postal worker after finding a U.S. Postal Service uniform and a bag of undelivered mail. He initially uses this guise to gain trust and secure resources but eventually becomes a symbol of hope for oppressed survivors under a tyrannical warlord, General Bethlehem (played by Will Patton).
The film was based on David Brin’s novel of the same name and also featured Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, and James Russo. Despite Costner’s previous success with Dances with Wolves (1990), The Postman faced a harsh reception. With a production budget of $80 million, it grossed only $27 million worldwide, resulting in a loss of over $62 million. This was compounded by its release on Christmas Day, competing with the blockbuster Titanic, and the film’s negative reviews. The Postman earned five Golden Raspberry Awards and holds a dismal 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to Horizon: An American Saga‘s 49%.
Critics at the time were unforgiving. CNN’s Paul Tatara described it as “inspiring as a movie about a vengeful meter reader,” while Roger Ebert offered a slightly more positive review, calling it “too good-hearted” to be the worst film of the year. The backlash from The Postman and Waterworld (1995), another costly flop, significantly impacted Costner’s career, eroding his status as a box-office draw.
It took six years for Costner to recover, finding success again with Open Range (2003), which, though modest, rejuvenated his career and led to his return to directing with Horizon: An American Saga.
Despite its poor reception, The Postman has gained a small cult following over the years. Some viewers appreciate its ambitious attempt at portraying a dystopian future and its themes of hope. If you’re curious about The Postman, it may be worth watching, but be prepared for its lengthy run time of nearly three hours.
