Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ hasn’t made the splash he hoped for. The film, the first of four planned chapters, explores various stories over 12 years in the American West. Costner, known for his love of Westerns, poured over $98 million (£77 million) of his own money into the project. Sadly, the return on investment hasn’t been promising.
Opening to a modest $11 million (£8.6 million) in the US, ‘Horizon’ struggled to capture the audience’s interest. Despite a star-studded cast, including Sienna Miller, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sam Worthington, Ella Hunt, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Jena Malone, the film didn’t hit the mark.
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Following its premiere at Cannes in May, critical reception was mostly negative. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called it a “clumsy slog beyond saving.” Similarly, Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian gave it just two stars, commenting that the film “moseys blankly along” and only occasionally offers mildly diverting moments over its 180-minute runtime.
On the flip side, some saw potential. Robbie Collin of The Telegraph gave a more favourable review, awarding it four stars. He praised the film’s earnestness and the well-drawn characters, suggesting that its full grandeur might only be appreciated once the second part is released.
Interestingly, despite the lukewarm reviews, the film received a seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes. This emotional moment was significant for Costner, visibly moved by the audience’s reaction. So, while ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ hasn’t started strong at the box office or with critics, there’s a glimmer of hope that future instalments might turn the tide.