Stream It or Skip It: ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ on HBO Max – Kevin Costner’s Grand Western Adventure Begins
Once upon a time in the West, Kevin Costner envisioned an epic tale of manifest destiny with a 12-hour runtime. The first installment, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, is now available on Max and other VOD platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, it flopped, leaving the future of the subsequent chapters uncertain. With Costner writing, directing, and starring, and even investing his own money, the film attempts a sprawling Western saga that might appeal mainly to a narrow, older audience. Yet, its creative efforts may still hold potential, though early reactions are tepid.
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA – CHAPTER 1: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: The movie kicks off with a series of brutal massacres in 1859, as White settlers attempt to establish the town of Horizon in San Pedro Valley. Violence quickly ensues, with the Apache responding to the encroachment. Despite the intensity of the events, the film struggles to engage viewers beyond a superficial level of distress. A mix of narratives unfolds: a boy named Russell (Etienne Kellici) seeks help, Lt. Trent Gephardt (Sam Worthington) and Sgt. Riordan (Michael Rooker) investigate the aftermath, and Hayes Ellison (Kevin Costner) arrives in the Wyoming Territory, adding layers to a convoluted plot.
Costner doesn’t appear until an hour into the film, playing a mysterious horse trader whose full role remains unclear. Meanwhile, various subplots emerge, including a covered-wagon caravan and complex relationships within the town.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of? Horizon echoes Costner’s Open Range and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West, though it lacks the focused impact of Leone’s classic.
Performance Worth Watching: Sienna Miller stands out, delivering moments of genuine charisma despite the film’s overall heft.
Memorable Dialogue: “I won’t sing for your victory today.” – Pionsenay’s response to the Apache raids.
Our Take: The film feels episodic and disjointed, resembling a TV series with no satisfying dramatic arc. It spends significant time setting up future events but struggles to make an emotional connection. The central character, Russell, is caught in a brutal conflict, but the film’s lack of coherent development undermines its impact.
