A Long Trek to Nowhere: Review of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1

As a long-time fan of the western genre, I was excited to dive into Kevin Costner’s latest project, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1. Unfortunately, this three-hour epic left me feeling underwhelmed and wondering what could have been.

The film attempts to tackle multiple storylines, but ultimately falls flat due to its lack of focus. We’re introduced to a widowed heroine, played by Sienna Miller, who flees to an army camp after an Apache raid on her frontier town. Meanwhile, Costner himself appears as a rugged old-timer in Montana, where he encounters a good-hearted bad girl played by Abbey Lee.

The American West, a land of beauty and danger

The film’s pacing is slow, and it’s not until the second hour that any real intrigue begins to build. Even then, it’s inconsistent and fails to keep the viewer fully engaged. The characters are dull, with Costner and Sam Worthington delivering lackluster performances.

One of the most disappointing aspects of Horizon is its failure to deliver a compelling narrative. The film ends with a montage of coming attractions, hinting that all these characters will meet up in future chapters. However, based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s hard to muster up any excitement for what’s to come.

The classic western trope, but without the excitement

In its day, Dances with Wolves drew praise and criticism for its portrayal of Native American characters. While Costner strives to be fair in Horizon, his approach feels more traditional than revisionist. The film’s themes of misogyny and US history are timely, but they’re not explored in any meaningful way.

Overall, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 feels like a long trek to nowhere. With its dull characters, lack of focus, and inconsistent pacing, it’s hard to recommend this film to anyone but the most die-hard western fans.

The classic western ending, but without the satisfaction

Rating: 2.5/5 stars