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Kevin Costner may be best known today for Yellowstone, but long before the hit series reshaped his career, the Hollywood icon had already mastered the neo-western genre. One of his most intense and emotional thrillers is now preparing for a major streaming comeback in the new year.
The 2020 neo-western thriller Let Him Go is officially set to arrive on Peacock on January 1, 2026, giving audiences another chance to experience one of Costner’s most powerful post-Yellowstone performances.
A Dark, Emotional Story of Loss and Revenge
Directed, written, and co-produced by Thomas Bezucha, and based on the 2013 novel by Larry Watson, Let Him Go stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as a grieving couple whose quiet life is shattered when their grandson is taken from them.
What begins as a painful family journey slowly transforms into a dangerous confrontation, forcing the couple to walk straight into violence they never expected.
The film also features strong performances from Lesley Manville, Kayli Carter, Will Brittain, and Jeffrey Donovan, adding depth and menace to the story’s escalating tension.
Slow Burn, Brutal Payoff
Let Him Go is not a loud action movie. Instead, it is a slow-burning neo-western thriller that builds emotional weight before delivering a shocking and brutal climax. The film balances heartbreak, moral conflict, and sudden violence — making it both unsettling and unforgettable.
Critics and audiences largely agreed on the film’s impact:
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85% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes
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76% audience score, praising performances and atmosphere
While some viewers felt the pacing was deliberately slow, many applauded the intense finale and simmering tension that made the journey worthwhile.
Critics Praise Costner and Diane Lane
Several major outlets praised the chemistry between Costner and Lane:
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Collider advised viewers not to expect explosive action, calling the film a “sensitive vigilante tale.”
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Chicago Sun-Times described watching Costner and Lane together as “movie heaven,” highlighting the film’s quiet beauty and shocking violence.
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MovieWeb noted that while the slow burn may not work for everyone, the final act is both powerful and unforgettable.
Life After Yellowstone
Following Kevin Costner’s controversial exit from Yellowstone, creator Taylor Sheridan continues expanding the franchise with multiple spin-offs. Meanwhile, Costner has remained committed to bringing classic western storytelling back to the big screen.
His ambitious Horizon: An American Saga project faced setbacks, with Chapter 2 delayed indefinitely and reports of legal challenges surrounding the production. Still, Costner’s passion for the western genre remains unmistakable.
Why Let Him Go Is Worth Watching
If you loved Yellowstone for its emotional weight, moral conflict, and western grit, Let Him Go offers a darker, more intimate experience — one that proves Kevin Costner’s neo-western legacy goes far beyond the Dutton Ranch.
With its upcoming streaming release, the film is poised to find a whole new audience ready for a quiet, devastating, and brutally effective thriller.