Kevin Costner’s face has been everywhere lately, thanks to his promotional efforts for “Horizon: An American Saga.” Costner poured $38 million of his own money into this project, which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in.
Despite his efforts and passion, the film opened to a disappointing $11.3 million against a $100 million budget. This has led to much speculation about why the film didn’t perform as expected and what it means for Costner’s future projects.
Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ bombed at the box office, grossing only $17.3 million worldwide until July 4, 2024. Critics and viewers found the film too lengthy, poorly paced, and just dragged.
The Fall of ‘Horizon’
Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga” was meant to be a cinematic marvel. However, it quickly turned into a Hollywood cautionary tale. The film opened with only $11.3 million domestically, a paltry sum compared to its $100 million budget, and it’s safe to say that Yellowstone fans aren’t hitting the theatres for Horizon.
This disappointing performance has raised several questions about the viability of Costner’s ambitious project and the factors contributing to its poor box office showing.
The lukewarm reception can be partly attributed to the film’s critical reviews. Many critics noted that “Horizon” felt like three hours of setup without much payoff. The sprawling narrative, divided into chapters and released over time, led some to believe it might have been better suited as a television series.
As critic Granelli suggested, “The languid pacing of this first chapter might have made more sense on TV, where people can watch at their own pace.”
Costner’s decision to split “Horizon” into multiple parts also contributed to its downfall. While this approach works well for streaming platforms, where viewers can commit to a story over several episodes, it’s a tough sell for theaters.
People are less willing to spend $20 and three hours on the first part of a story, especially if they have to wait for the conclusion.
The financial situation is further complicated by Costner’s continued investment in the franchise. Reports suggest he plans to make four “Horizon” films, but with the first installment underperforming, securing funding for the remaining parts could be challenging.
Costner’s $38 million contribution is substantial, but it’s unclear if this covers the entire series or just the first film. Additionally, the marketing budget, estimated at $30 million, might have further strained the financial outlook.
Michael Rooker, one of the film’s stars, defended “Horizon” despite its poor opening weekend.
In an interview with TMZ, Rooker suggested that audiences need to “learn how to watch real cinema,” arguing that modern viewers have been conditioned by short, fast-paced content.
“We ain’t used to that s—. We’re used to 90-minute movies. Everything’s 90 minutes. Come on, give me a break.”
While his defense highlights the film’s commitment to storytelling, it also underscores a disconnect with current audience preferences.
Despite the box office numbers, Costner remains proud of “Horizon.”
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he expressed satisfaction with the film’s final product, emphasizing that it looks exactly as he envisioned.
“I’m really happy that Horizon looks like what it’s supposed to look like, and that’s the way it’ll look the rest of its life.”
Kevin Costner acknowledged the importance of box office success but prioritized his artistic vision over immediate financial returns.
However, the poor performance of “Horizon” raises significant questions about the future of large-scale, original epics in today’s film industry.
With audiences increasingly favoring streaming content and established franchises, original stories especially, slow paced ones face an uphill battle. Costner’s gamble on “Horizon” highlights the challenges filmmakers face when trying to bring ambitious, non-franchise projects to the big screen.
We personally liked the film as it was an old fashioned Hollywood story that just builds on us but bashing the audience will get you nowhere. I mean, think about it. There is no power in the world that can win an upstream battle against the audience.
Will Costner be able to complete his planned four-part series despite the initial setbacks? Can “Horizon” find a second life on streaming platforms or home entertainment?
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