Overhated & Underrated: Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 the Biggest Sleeper Masterpiece of All-Time

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Like many film fans, I have a favorite genre, and for me, it’s the Western. From classic films like Stagecoach to recent ones like Killers of the Flower Moon and Hell or High Water, Westerns always deliver something unique. Because I’m such a fan, I was really looking forward to Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, and I think it’s unfairly criticized.

Following his work on Yellowstone, Kevin Costner directed and co-wrote the first installment of what he envisioned as a four-part Western saga. Chapter 1 was intended as just the beginning of a massive project, but it surprisingly flopped at the box office. While criticized for elements like the age difference in one of the relationships – specifically, Costner’s character Hayes – the film is actually quite strong. Horizon may be a bit rough around the edges in its first chapter, but it truly captures the spirit of classic Westerns better than most recent films.

The Good and the Ugly of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1

Like most creative endeavors, Horizon isn’t flawless. The way the first chapter is structured and delivered could be improved. However, demanding perfection can often ruin the enjoyment of art. While striving for excellence is good, Horizon manages to be beautiful and genuinely entertaining even with its imperfections.

The main problem with Horizon is that its story feels disjointed. The first chapter promised a grand, sweeping epic, and I was excited to see where it would go. However, Costner introduced so many different plots and characters that it became hard to follow. We’re juggling storylines about the settlers, Pionsenay’s conflict with them, and the Hayes and Sykes families, just to name a few.

Even combining those three main plotlines would have been challenging, but the movie actually has several more stories happening at the same time, all within its three-hour runtime. The way the film divides its time between these different stories also causes problems. Some plots get a lot of screen time, while others don’t get enough, making it hard for viewers to connect with all the characters. Ultimately, the biggest issues with Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 are its lack of overall cohesion and uneven pacing.

Even though Horizon isn’t perfect, there’s a lot to enjoy in this ambitious film by Kevin Costner. It’s clearly a project he poured his heart – and his own money – into, and that dedication is visible throughout. Seeing a classic Western treated with such care and attention to detail on the big screen today was truly impressive.

The film features a powerfully contrasting scene: a beautiful moment quickly turns into a terrifying one. The destruction of the Horizon settlement is both haunting and visually stunning. We see the townspeople go from joyful celebration at a dance to experiencing a horrific nightmare as fire engulfs everything, casting stark and devastating shadows of the destruction.

This storyline has been carefully developed over time, drawing inspiration from classic Westerns like those starring John Wayne. It felt true to the genre and effectively launched many of the frontier tales. Additionally, it introduced two new story arcs that clearly echo themes from some of John Wayne’s most famous films.

Westerns often feature the US Cavalry prominently, and Kevin Costner’s Horizon is no exception. The film clearly draws inspiration from classics like She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, especially in its dialogue. A particularly strong moment comes when Danny Huston, playing Col. Albert Houghton, beautifully articulates the significance of the West – and Western movies themselves – to audiences.

You know, what I always loved about Westerns is that they’re fundamentally about the promise of a fresh start. It’s about escaping a tough life and finding real opportunity, and that’s a feeling that still resonates today. That sense of freedom and adventure is why I keep coming back to the genre, and honestly, there’s a speech in ‘The Unforgiven’ by John Huston that just perfectly captures the entire history of Westerns – it’s beautifully written and sticks with you long after the credits roll.

The story also draws inspiration from darker sources. While some residents of Horizon seek revenge on the First Nations people they believe destroyed their town, the pursuit quickly turns violent and disturbing. It echoes the themes of the classic film The Searchers, but with a more critical and cynical approach reminiscent of Clint Eastwood’s filmmaking style.

The film shows how even well-intentioned people can compromise their principles while pursuing what they believe is right, only to discover that it leads to more suffering than justice. While I’ve highlighted just a few scenes, it’s evident that Horizon is the definitive Western – it perfectly captures the spirit of classic Westerns, while also offering a fresh, contemporary take.

Horizon: An American Saga Comes At a Sad Time For Western Movies

Ultimately, the timing of the release really hurt Horizon. Kevin Costner probably hoped the success of a previous film would encourage audiences to see Horizon in theaters, but that didn’t happen. Even with a relatively modest budget of $50 million, Horizon only earned $38 million worldwide in ticket sales.

Movie theaters are facing tough times. It’s become difficult to attract audiences, and while I personally love going to the cinema, many people don’t feel the same way. This lack of enthusiasm has caused a steady decrease in the number of people choosing to watch movies in theaters.

Horizon faced the challenge of dwindling interest in large-scale Western films. Even movies with a more classic Western style, like 2016’s The Magnificent Seven, haven’t been successful with audiences. This makes it difficult for any Western to recoup its costs, particularly when the filmmakers plan to make four movies in total.

The Entire Horizon Saga Deserves to Be Seen

Following the issues with the first chapter, the second chapter was initially planned for release a few months later. However, as of today, there’s still no confirmed release date. I’ve talked to many friends about this, and I really think the Horizon series could be successful again if it were given the chance to finish its story.

The first chapter was full of exciting action and a moving struggle for survival. Now, the second chapter is finished and ready for release. I’m eager for people to see it, not only because I enjoy the story, but also because the talented cast and crew deserve to have their work seen. The fact that I’m excited to find out what happens next proves that the first chapter really captured my interest.

While Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 might not be the greatest film ever made, it’s a loving tribute to the Western genre and everything that’s made it so beloved for generations. Even if you don’t typically enjoy Westerns, it’s worth supporting this deeply personal project, as Kevin Costner invested a great deal of himself into creating a film he hoped would be his lasting achievement.

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2025-12-04 20:14