Horizon Chapter 2 Delivers Unexpectedly Longer Runtime Compared to Chapter 1

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 may not have left a significant mark at the box office, but Kevin Costner is committed to moving forward with Chapter 2.

Following its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 7, along with some heartfelt remarks from Costner himself, Horizon Chapter 2 appears to be gaining momentum.

Unfortunately, initial reviews are casting a shadow over the hopes of Western enthusiasts who were anticipating a redemption arc for Costner’s cowboy saga. Regardless, Chapter 2’s extended runtime indicates that Costner is prepared to push forward with his vision.

Initially, Chapter 2 was expected to have a runtime of two hours and 45 minutes (165 minutes). However, according to the screening details at Venice and insights from recent reviews, the confirmed runtime is now three hours and ten minutes (190 minutes).

HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA – CHAPTER 2 previously was said to have a runtime of 165 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes). Both the Hollywood Reporter and Variety reviews released today say Movie 2 now runs 190 minutes (3 hours 10 minutes). Kevin Costner, you mad man! Go for it! pic.twitter.com/JtnrUjGYmq

— PAUL: MEGAPAULPOLIS (@HuginsPL) September 7, 2024

To provide context, that makes it nine minutes longer than Chapter 1, which had a runtime of three hours and one minute—one of the most frequent criticisms of that installment.

Nonetheless, many viewers and critics were willing to overlook these concerns with Chapter 1, considering it served as a foundation for Costner’s expansive array of characters and settings, establishing the stakes for the subsequent films.

However, Chapter 2’s increased runtime may raise concerns regarding the pacing, a significant issue with the first movie. Still, it showcases Costner’s commitment; he aims to create Chapter 2 as he envisions.

This extended runtime has elicited mixed reactions among fans, with some supporting the notion of elaborating on the saga, while others question whether the over-three-hour experience will ultimately be rewarding.

The cast of Horizon: An American Saga — Warner Bros. Pictures

“Kevin Costner, you mad man! Go for it!,” remarked one X user. On Reddit, another enthusiast commented, “Loved part one, excited for this.”

Conversely, one viewer expressed: “I liked the first one enough that I’ll be seeing the second part in theaters, but Costner really needs to tighten up the pacing and focus on the key subplots in the upcoming sequels.”

“H1 just doesn’t work as a movie, but could’ve operated effectively as three separate episodes. These excessive runtimes are another hurdle for its box office success,” stated another viewer.

For additional insights, explore the connections between Yellowstone and Horizon.