Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Following the loss of their son, a retired sheriff and his wife leave their Montana ranch to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas.
Let Him Go is a slow-burn neo-western that leans heavily on its two leads — Kevin Costner and Diane Lane deliver genuinely compelling, lived-in performances that elevate what is otherwise a fairly familiar premise. The plot hits recognizable beats: grieving grandparents, menacing backwoods antagonists (Lesley Manville is a standout), and a rescue mission that escalates to violence. The cinematography captures the Montana and Dakota landscapes competently but without particular visual distinction. The novelty is limited — the neo-western revenge-grief framework has been well-trodden, and aside from centering older protagonists, the film doesn't offer a truly distinctive voice or conception. The ending, while emotionally resonant in parts, is somewhat abrupt and unevenly handled, satisfying the thriller mechanics without fully landing the emotional payoff the setup promised.