Kevin Costner Wants To Redefine The Western & Depiction Of Native Americans Through His Film ‘Horizon’

In a departure from the traditional Western genre, Kevin Costner’s latest film, Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1, aims to illuminate the complex and often misrepresented experiences of Native Americans. 

Costner, known for his acclaimed work in Dances With Wolves, has long been passionate about accurately portraying Indigenous cultures on the big screen.

The first installment of this 12-year saga delves into the tumultuous lives of the Native characters as they grapple with the disruptive effects of settler expansion on their once-rich lands. Rather than offensively depicting the native individuals as one-dimensional “savages,” the film attempts to explore the internal strife and power struggles within the tribes as they are forced to compete for scarce resources.

Costner acknowledged the complicated nature of the subject matter. “I’m just so tired of everybody trying to be so delicate about things,” in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He recognized a need to confront the harsh realities faced by the Native Americans, even if it meant portraying moments that could be viewed as stereotypical. 

Costner continued, “[The Native Americans] were pissed. I don’t feel like I have to [hold someone’s hand]. ‘Oh my God, here we go again. Indians are the bad guys.’ Of course, they’re not the bad guys. But if you’re going to be limited, if people aren’t willing to watch how something unfolds, I don’t know what to say.”

“The reality is it was one tent too many, and the [Apache] went down there, and they tried to wipe the [settlers] out,” he explained. 

Costner aims to challenge the traditional Western narrative that often casts Indigenous characters as antagonists. He wants to do this by depicting the anger and frustration the Indigenous characters face. He hopes to provide a more nuanced understanding of the complex power dynamics and cultural upheaval that arose due to the influx of settlers.

Costner’s approach to this project is influenced by his previous collaboration with the Lakota people on Dances With Wolves. The movie is the first of four planned chapters, which tells a series of stories throughout 12 years in the American West. 

Costner’s ex-wife recently got engaged, while Costner was accompanied by his children to the Cannes red carpet premiere of Horizon.