Forget ‘Yellowstone’, Kevin Costner’s “Brutal” Neo-Western Thriller Rides Onto New Streaming Home

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I’ve always loved Westerns, they’ve been a huge part of cinema for ages. But it wasn’t really until Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone in 2018 that he really became a key figure in the newer wave of Westerns, the ‘neo-Westerns’ as some call them. And I’m excited to hear one of his best projects is coming to streaming soon!

As a big movie fan, I’m really excited about Let Him Go. It’s a 2020 thriller directed by Thomas Bezucha, who also wrote and helped produce it. It’s based on Larry Watson’s novel of the same name. The film stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as grandparents who get pulled into a dangerous situation when their grandson is taken away. Lesley Manville, Kayli Carter, Will Brittain, and Jeffrey Donovan round out the cast. It’s not a fast-paced action movie, it’s more of a slow burn, and honestly, it’s pretty heartbreaking – but in a way that keeps you hooked. It’s hitting streaming services on January 1, 2026, and I’m already bracing myself for a tough watch!

After tragically losing their son, a retired sheriff and his wife set out from their Montana ranch to save their grandson. He’s being held by a dangerous family who lives a secluded life in the Dakotas.

‘Let Him Go’ Is a Slow-Burning Revenge Thriller With a “Brutal Climax”


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I really enjoyed Let Him Go when it came out, and it seemed like a lot of other people did too! Critics gave it an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences liked it with a 76%. Most people agreed the acting was fantastic, though some thought the movie mixed serious drama with thriller elements a little unevenly. Even though our own Julian Roman at MovieWeb found it a bit slow-paced, he really loved how intense the ending was and how much tension built up throughout the film.

Let Him Go is a tense, slow-building thriller set in the American West, where two grandmothers are locked in a custody battle over a grandson. The film carefully develops its characters before unleashing a shockingly violent climax. While the story starts at a measured pace, it accelerates towards a brutal and impactful ending. The stark, lonely landscapes of the period setting enhance the film’s ominous and unsettling mood.

Collider cautioned viewers that “Let Him Go” isn’t a typical action film, but rather a thoughtful story about taking justice into one’s own hands. The Chicago Sun-Times praised the chemistry between Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as “movie heaven,” and RogerEbert.com noted the film’s subtle pace and beautiful scenery, enhanced by powerful acting and unexpected bursts of violence.

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After Kevin Costner left Yellowstone, the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, is moving forward with several new spin-offs. Meanwhile, Costner is still dedicated to making classic Western films, though he’s encountered some difficulties. His ambitious Horizon series might be shorter than planned – only three films instead of the original six – and the second chapter has been postponed. Costner is also currently dealing with lawsuits alleging inappropriate behavior on set.

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2025-12-31 21:00