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If you’re missing the rugged intensity of Yellowstone and Kevin Costner’s commanding screen presence, there’s good news. One of his most underrated films—praised by critics and audiences alike—is quietly riding onto a new streaming platform and gaining fresh momentum.
That film is Let Him Go, a brutal, slow-burn neo-western thriller that delivers everything fans love about Costner—moral gravity, quiet menace, and old-school authority—all wrapped in a tight, self-contained two-hour story.
Why Let Him Go Is the Ideal Yellowstone Replacement
Let Him Go stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as George and Margaret Blackledge, a retired Montana sheriff and his wife whose peaceful ranch life is shattered after the death of their son.
When their daughter-in-law remarries and takes their young grandson away, the couple senses something deeply wrong. Their search leads them from Montana into the Dakotas—straight into the orbit of a dangerous, insular family living completely off the grid.
This isn’t a typical custody dispute.
This is territory, intimidation, and survival.
A Dark Neo-Western With Real Bite
What sets Let Him Go apart is its tone. It’s quiet. Patient. And deeply unsettling.
The antagonistic family answers questions with threats and treats violence as routine. Costner’s character, George Blackledge, doesn’t rush into action—but when he does, it’s decisive, emotional, and devastating.
You get:
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Weathered lawman authority
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Moral stakes that feel real
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A slow-simmering tension that explodes when it matters
For fans of Yellowstone, this feels less like a replacement and more like a condensed, darker cousin.
Cast, Director & Source Material
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Starring: Kevin Costner, Diane Lane
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Director: Thomas Bezucha
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Based On: The novel Let Him Go by Larry Watson
The adaptation stays grounded, character-driven, and brutally realistic—eschewing spectacle for emotional weight.
Rotten Tomatoes Scores Prove It’s a Hidden Gem
Despite flying under the radar during its release, Let Him Go earned strong critical and audience approval:
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🍅 85% Critics Score (198+ reviews)
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🍿 76% Audience Score (1,000+ ratings)
Those numbers firmly place it among Kevin Costner’s most respected modern performances.
Why the Film Is Trending Again
Originally released during the pandemic, Let Him Go had:
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A limited theatrical run
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Early digital release
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Gradual streaming rollout
But instead of fading, the film found life through pure word of mouth.
In January 2025, it surged on Freevee’s free streaming charts, reportedly reaching #5, proving its staying power without franchise hype or marketing overload.
The momentum came the old-school way:
Someone hits play for Costner…
gets pulled into the darkness…
then tells someone else it’s way more intense than expected.
New Streaming Home: Peacock – January 1, 2026
Before Peacock officially picks it up on January 1, 2026, the film had already proven its ability to travel organically across platforms.
Its arrival on Peacock positions Let Him Go as a cost-free discovery for viewers craving:
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Tough neo-westerns
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Mature storytelling
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High-stakes family drama
Why Let Him Go Still Works So Well
Unlike franchise-heavy releases, this film thrives on:
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Tight storytelling
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Emotional realism
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A clear beginning, middle, and end
It doesn’t overstay its welcome—and when the final act hits, it hits hard.
Kevin Costner steps up not as a mythic cowboy, but as a man pushed past his limits to protect family—making the payoff feel earned.
Final Verdict
Let Him Go isn’t loud.
It isn’t flashy.
But it’s dark, gripping, and unforgettable.
With an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score, rising streaming momentum, and Kevin Costner at his most quietly dangerous, this film is the perfect Yellowstone alternative for fans who want substance over spectacle.