“Why Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ Misses the Mark for Diehard ‘Yellowstone’ Fans”

It’s been 550 days since a new episode of Yellowstone aired, an astonishing gap for one of television’s most popular shows. The hiatus is partly due to behind-the-scenes drama as turbulent as the Dutton family’s dynamics, culminating in the departure of the show’s star, Kevin Costner. The fallout stems from Costner’s desire for reduced on-set time, which clashed with the demands of Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, leading to Costner’s exit amid a swirl of accusations and disagreements.

So, what prompted Costner to scale back his Yellowstone commitments? His focus shifted to a grand vision: a four-part period Western film series titled Horizon, which he would co-write, direct, star in, and partially finance himself. After a mixed reception at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the first installment of Horizon is now available nationwide. But will Yellowstone fans, eager for more of Costner’s Western drama, find satisfaction in this 3-hour epic?