People are fighting for their lives and values. They’re also fighting for their land and their rights. Right now, we’re witnessing the shocking consequences that a ruthless settlement policy can cause. But no matter the era, it’s rarely the powerful who find themselves in the crossfire—it’s those seeking a home or trying not to lose the one they have. And that’s exactly what Kevin Costner’s epic Western “Horizon” is all about.
I’m also in a battle right now, fighting for what and who I love. So maybe I’m a bit biased when it comes to an objective review. Because Horizon touched me on a deep emotional level. In my opinion, we need more films that give us the time to truly immerse ourselves in a story, allowing us to gradually develop emotions and connect with the characters. So, let’s talk about the story.
WHAT IS HORIZON ABOUT?
Horizon is a place much like the promised land. Its owner offers it to settlers from all over the world, who flock to the West in search of a home and work. The only problem? It’s a sacred site for the Apache, who have lived, hunted, and fished there for hundreds of years.
Therefore, conflicts are inevitable, and it quickly becomes clear that there’s no clear good or bad here. Both sides have understandable interests, but their approaches are flawed. The Apaches try to scare off the settlers with brutal raids, but violence only breeds more violence. The newcomers refuse to give up their new home. Instead, they decide to call in the Army for help.
So, let’s take a seat by the campfire with some of the characters and dive into their stories.
THE CHARACTERS OF HORIZON
FIRST LT: TRENT GEPHARDT A.K.A. SAM WORTHINGTON
Unlike in many older Westerns, First Lt. Trent Gephardt, who leads the cavalry, isn’t a trigger-happy gunslinger. He approaches the situation with caution, understanding, and a deep empathy for the Native Americans. Yet, despite his efforts, he can’t stop a group of mercenaries from breaking away to launch a revenge mission—while making a profit along the way.
Trent is played by Sam Worthington, whom we all know from Avatar and countless other blockbusters.
Sam on his character
Gephardt is an idealistic soldier who has the anger and frustrations of a young man in the sense that, inside, he’s deeply insecure about the world and his part in it. I think that he’s a man who just wants to fight. He believes that is the way out, but he ends up being a farmer, until the war comes. He has a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to Frances, who offers him a sense of ease and calm, but he’s such a fixed young man at this point that he can’t open up to her.
Sam on working with Sienna Miller
Sienna is a very strong and confident actress. She’s great. She brings a lot of that into Frances. She leans into that sense of being very present with you, and I think that, in the scenes that we have, they’re connecting but they’re missing each other. His head is somewhere else, he’s got a lot of obstacles to overcome before he understands what she’s giving him. And Sienna is such a strong person that it really helps with those scenes.”
FRANCES KITTREDGE A.K.A. SIENNA MILLER
Frances is a beautiful young mother who loves her family and dreams of building a lovely home with them in Horizon.
The journey begins with the foundation of a solid house, but everything changes on the day fate deals a terrible blow.
Frances is portrayed by the incredible Sienna Miller, whom you might recognize from outstanding films like Mississippi Grind, Layer Cake, American Woman, Foxcatcher, and Interview.
Sienna on the story of “Horizon: An American Saga”
Well, I’m sort of a secret history nerd, so to be able to dive in and really experience this era and this moment in history, to be able to work on something that is so impartial and just states the facts, was astounding. The scripts were some of the best I’ve ever read. It’s wonderful to see a story based in the West being one with a big focus on the female characters. I can think of countless movies that I’ve seen in that era, but very few that have ever really explored the experience for women. That was a huge draw.
Sienna On her character, Frances Kittredge
I love that Frances is very honest. She’s quite contemporary whilst also being traditional. She’s not somebody who suffers and sits in her own pity—she’s resilient and forthcoming, and I imagine that she’d wear her tragedy in a very brave way, which she does.
Elizabeth Kittredge A.K.A. Georgia MacPhail
Frances’ daughter, Lizy, just 13 years old, quickly learns what responsibility means in the not-so-golden West her parents dreamed of. After finding a new home at the Army fort, Lizy becomes a sort of saintly figure for the soldiers, as well as the women in the fort, all of whom deeply miss their families and children.
Marigold A.K.A. Abbey Lee
Marigold is a prostitute—wild, bold, and clever. She knows how to survive in a grimy gold-mining town, at least until she crosses paths with Hayes Ellison, about whom we’ll be giving you an exclusive report.
Marigold is played by the stunning Abbey Lee, the Australian model turned-actress. Abbey isn’t just captivatingly beautiful; she’s also proven herself to be a true screen presence in films like *Elizabeth Harvest* (a must-watch) and Mad Max: Fury Road, where she draws us deeply into the story with her mesmerizing performance.
Abby on the story of Horizon: An American Saga
I play Marigold, who gets by as a sex worker. She lives in a small mining town called Watts Parish, which is around what would now be Wyoming, and we’re introduced to her through the character of Ellen, who she lives with and helps out with chores. We learn quickly what it was like being a woman at that time, in that environment, and how difficult it was to be sovereign, to have a life outside of being under the control of a man.
Women didn’t have rights then, and the conditions were really hard. Marigold is desperate for independence; she has seen some really awful things, and yet she still has a dream, she still has hope. I read a book from the early 1900s by a woman called Nell Kimball, who was a sex worker, and it gave me incredible insight into just what it was like day to day at that time. It changed the way that I looked at the scenes and the way I felt about the men in Marigold’s world.
Abbey on working with Kevin Costner
I think firstly what’s important about Kevin directing a piece that he has also co-written is he’s clearly been living and breathing this thing for such a long time. And so his wealth of knowledge is endless, and he makes you feel comfortable, like you’re in the right hands. And I think because he’s been an actor for such a long time and such a fantastic actor, he’s very sensitive to the process.
He allows space and time for rehearsals, which so often you don’t get. And he really asks that people respect your space as an actor, which is very valuable for me. I take my work very seriously, and I’m very passionate about it, and he understands that.
Abbey on working with Kevin Costner
I think firstly what’s important about Kevin directing a piece that he has also co-written is he’s clearly been living and breathing this thing for such a long time. And so his wealth of knowledge is endless, and he makes you feel comfortable like you’re in the right hands. And I think because he’s been an actor for such a long time and such a fantastic actor, he’s very sensitive to the process. He allows space and time for rehearsals, which so often you don’t get. And he really asks that people respect your space as an actor, which is very valuable for me. I take my work very seriously, and I’m very passionate about it, and he understands that.
THE CAMP & WATT PARISH
We still have many more characters to introduce, spread across various locations, like Colonel Houghton (played by Danny Huston) and Sgt. Major Riordan (played by Michael Rooker) from Camp Gallant.
In Watt Parish, the stories of Ellen Harvey (Jena Malone), Caleb Sykes (Jamie Campbell Bower), and Junior Sykes (Jon Beavers) unfold.
THE TREK TO HORIZON
No true Western would be complete without a wagon train, and this one is led by Matthew Van Weyden, played by Luke Wilson. Following him are Hugh Proctor (Tom Payne) and the schoolteacher Juliette Chesney (Ella Hunt).
They’re also joined by Owen Kittredge (Will Patton) and his daughter Diamond (Isabelle Fuhrman), along with the odd duo of Sig (Douglas Smith) and Birke (Roger Ivens).
THE NATIVES: THE APACHES
Of course, we can’t forget the Native Americans of the Apache Mountain Tribe, even though their story only begins to unfold gradually in Chapter 1. Among them is the Apache warrior Pionsenay (played by Owen Crow Shoe), who isn’t inherently violent but sees no other option than to take a hard stand against the settlers.
Taklishim (Tatanka Means), who has a family, approaches the situation more cautiously than Pionsenay. His wife, Liluye, portrayed by the beautiful Wasé Chief, stands by his side, offering guidance and love.
THE HORIZON CONCLUSION
Kevin Costner has long been connected with the Wild West. His love for the land and its Native peoples was evident in Dances with Wolves. He continued this journey with Wyatt Earp, Yellowstone, Silverado, and Open Range.
Now, with Horizon: An American Saga, he brings it all together. Costner aims to unite all the elements that defined that era: the adventurers searching for fortune, gold, or adventure; the settlers seeking a new home; and the Native Americans fighting to protect their land. Amidst it all, we find people just trying to forge their own paths.
THE SHINING STAR
Among them is young Lizy, who, perhaps even unwittingly, becomes the star of Horizon. Georgia MacPhail, through her performances, manages to touch our hearts deeply. She provides a source of comfort for the soldiers at the camp, who want to protect her. She touches the hearts of the women in the camp, who have lost or missed their daughters amidst the chaos of the time, as many are on treks in other states.
Georgia captivates us with her purity and beauty, her warmth and naturalness, her modesty and love. Much like Hailee Steinfeld did in True Grit, Georgia enchants us from the very first moment, delivering a Western drama that is truly unparalleled.
Horizon is not an easy film, and Kevin Costner is a brave individual who believes in his vision so strongly that he’s willing to risk his own fortune. The risk of such projects failing is well known, and in times like these, it was particularly challenging for him to bring the film to life.
THE TETRALOGY
With this context in mind, we should approach the film knowing that Kevin Costner aims to share his unique perspective. This summer, we’re only getting Horizon Chapters 1 and 2. The first part is focused on introducing the characters and giving us a glimpse of the unfolding drama, setting the stage for the tension and conflicts that are yet to come.
At times, the film does have its slow moments that could have been tightened up. Some scenes also feel disjointed and, given the sheer volume of information and characters, aren’t always immediately clear. Perhaps the original idea was to showcase different regions or themes across the various chapters—such as the wagon trains traveling across the land, or the lives of the Native Americans and the fortune seekers.
Each chapter might have presented different perspectives. However, with Horizon Chapter 1, Kevin Costner aims to merge all these themes to give us a comprehensive view of the era.
FINALLY
I think Costner succeeds remarkably well. *Horizon* isn’t a film for everyone; it requires a deep engagement with its themes. When we reflect on our own times, we see striking parallels that resonate subtly, perhaps even unintentionally. This is why *Horizon: An American Saga* touches us so deeply—because, as much as we might wish otherwise, our dream of a peaceful world often ends at our own doorstep.
Anyone who has experienced loss or is fighting for a loved one will find a profound connection in *Horizon*, perhaps more so than in any other film. History enthusiasts will also find a rich portrayal of American history here.
With its stunning visuals, a powerful score, an excellent cast, and a story that promises an exciting continuation, we give it 7 points and look forward to what comes next.
Text: Marco Kokkot
Event Images: Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros
Film Scenes: New Line Cinema, Warner Bros., TOBIS FILM. All Rights Reserved.
