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Kevin Costner’s upcoming film and his passion project,Horizon: An American Sagaenjoyed a promising debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The audience’s enthusiastic response, including a seven-minute standing ovation, moved the director to tears, as he thanked the audience and promised a similar epic journey with the upcoming three sequels of the film series.
However, the same response is not reflected in the film’s critical reception, as the epic western saga opened to a disappointing 30% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes with critics sharing their mixed reaction to Costner’s passion project, for which the actor has risked it all.
Kevin Costner’sHorizon: An American SagaOpens to Disappointing Ratings
The four-partHorizon: An American Sagais another addition toKevin Costner’sventure into the Western genre, following hits likeOpen Range, Dances With Wolves, and the hit TV seriesYellowstone, which he left to finish his passion project.
However, despite the positive reception at the Cannes Film Festival, the film debuted with a disappointing 30% critic score onRotten Tomatoesbased on 20 reviews. The epic Western saga has stirred a mixed bag of reactions from critics.
Some critics praised the film for its visual grandeur and ambitious scope, as Robbie Collin of the Daily Telegraphstated,“Part of the pleasure of Horizon is the sheer, magisterial sweep of the thing – with mountains and buttes and mesas like these, who needs CG? But its texture lives in small, telling details.”
However, others criticized its complex narrative, pacing issues, lack of deep character engagement, and essential storytelling elements. Esther Zuckerman from The Daily Beast shared her criticism, saying,“There is no arc to what happens, just the seemingly unending introduction of characters.”
The film has also received mixed to average ratings on Metacritic having a score of 50 out of 100, marking a divisive start to Costner’s four-part epic Western saga. The initial critical reception especially comes as a surprise as it contrasts significantly withthe reaction the film received at its world premiere.
“You mark my words, that’s naughty”: Kevin Costner’s Dad Didn’t Approve Him Joining Taylor Sheridan for Yellowstone That He Felt Was a Career Ender
However, reports following its world premiere stated that the three-hour-long film also witnessed some walkouts. While some returned later, a significant number of people chose to skip the rest of the movie.
Fans React toHorizon: An American Saga’sUnderwhelming Ratings
Fans have also shared their surprised reaction to the underwhelming critical response toHorizon: An American Saga.While some raised concern about the significant investment Costner has made in the film series, others pointed out the contrast between the critic score and the Cannes Film Festival reception of the movie.
If the critics rated it low, then it has a chance.
— CantSilenceTruth✝️🇺🇸💪 (@NiceTryWeirdos)August 17, 2025
And he spent millions of his own money on this?pic.twitter.com/ucNqRzmtJe
— Alexander Nevermind (@AlexNever347)July 23, 2025
I’m still going to see it
— Mitch Flatt (@FlattMitchell)August 08, 2025
It’s only 20 people…pic.twitter.com/837iBlNU37
— Eric Pellinen (@EricPellinen)July 06, 2025
Predictable.
And I can’t wait to watch it on opening day!
— Keith Garlington (@KeithandMovies)June 19, 2025
“What happened to that standing ovation?,” one X (Twitter) usersaid. However, many fans remained eager to see the movie, stating that they would go to see the film despite critics’ reception, with some even claiming,“If the critics rated it low, then it has a chance.”
“I don’t know if it’s fear”: Kevin Costner Holds 1 Record With Marvel Star Chris Evans That Will Upset Their Ardent Fans
Horizon: An American Sagais the first installment in Costner’s four-part film series, and follows the expansion of the American West during the American Civil War era. A sequel to the film,Chapter 2will follow up onChapter 1and is scheduled to release August 24, 2025.
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1is set to release on July 07, 2025.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
