If all the Independence Day festivities have put you in the mood for a stellar epic Western, then you need to jump on the first chapter oKevin Costner‘s Horizon: An American Saga before it leaves Netflix in the middle of this month. While Horizon‘s first and second installments were originally set to release in June and August 2024, respectively, Chapter 2 has been put on hold for the time being. During that time, Chapter 1 has gained quite a following, with many hoping to see the full saga completed in the next few years. But why should you give Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 a try? Well, because it’s Costner’s most ambitious Western of his entire career.

‘Horizon: An American Saga’ Is a Breathtaking Look at Settling the Frontier

Image via Warner Bros. 

It’s clear that Horizon is a labor of love for Kevin Costner. It’s part of the reason he was written off Yellowstone and it’s a project that has been largely funded by him on a personal level. Having taken all that he learned from making Dances with Wolves and Open Range, the filmmaker has outdone himself with this riveting drama that has masterfully recaptured the spirit of the American West in a way that many smaller-scale Westerns are unable to. Chapter 1 is a powerful start to Costner’s general meditations on westward expansion and those that ultimately settled the mythic region we know today. It highlights the plights of those who built towns in dangerous lands, the conflict within the Native American tribes who once lived there, the outlaws who fought for every scrap they had, and the cowboys who sometimes stood against them. Horizon has everything from action and adventure to romance and deep suspense, and Chapter 1 is only meant to be the beginning.

Whether you love Costner’s role as the hardened Hayes Ellison or prefer Jena Malone‘s mysterious Lucy, there’s a story in Horizon for everyone. Interested in the inner conflicts of the Apache people? Chapter 1 dives into those issues. What about the wagon trains and their struggles heading West? Horizon has those too, with characters and conflicts that will make one nostalgic about old episodes of Wagon Train. For those looking for romance, that exists in Costner’s exploration of the 1860s — and so much more. What’s better is that, aside from the stellar performances and clear vision found in Horizon, the film is a marvel of modern filmmaking that offers a grand picture of the Wild West as it once was. The cinematography by J. Michael Muro is simply outstanding, as he expertly highlights the peaks, valleys, forests, and deserts that were once explored and settled by many of our ancestors. Not to mention John Debney‘s killer score, which rouses one up with the intent of embarking on an adventure.

Kevin Costner’s Epic Works Just Fine as a Single Entry (But We’re Still Waiting for More)

Image via Warner Bros. Image via Warner Bros. Image via Warner Bros Pictures Image via Warner Bros. Image via Warner Bros.

What’s particularly fascinating about Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 is that it is profusely rewatchable. Although there is more to the story that we are yet to see, the truth is that Chapter 1 works just as well as an epic Western that stands alone. This is not because the future stories are unimportant or because Chapter 2 is unnecessary, but because the characters themselves carry us through the film and offer intimate portrayals of those who lived during this tumultuous time period when folks never knew if they would see each other again. If you thought that Costner had said all he had to about the West with Dances with Wolves, Open Range, or even Yellowstone, it’s apparent he still has more to say with Horizon, which feels like something out of the Golden Age of Westerns.

From the moment Horizon was uploaded to streaming, it has found success on digital platforms. Since then, Chapter 2 has premiered but gone unreleased, frustrating some of the actors involved. Still, as Danny Huston has exclaimed, “there’s no stopping it.” It certainly helps that the film’s closing montage teases the future, revealing at least some of the events that will befall these characters, but we still want more. Yes, eventually, Horizon will likely continue, and Costner’s final send-off to the Western will ride into the sunset. But until then, we can continue to enjoy the first entry and appreciate the sheer size and scale of Horizon: An American Saga. Costner’s epic Western is one of the more ambitious additions to the genre in recent years, and we can’t wait to see how it ends.

Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 is available on streaming on Netflix until July 16, 2025.