Movie Review

Kevin Costner heads west yet again in family thriller Let Him Go

Although Kevin Costner has played a wide variety of parts throughout his 40-year career, he is the rare modern-day actor to be defined by westerns. From Silverado to the Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves to Wyatt Earp to Open Range to the current TV series Yellowstone, he has returned to the genre over and over again. His steely demeanor and increasingly craggy face ensure that he is a good fit for the hard-scrabble stories told in those type of productions.

His new film, Let Him Go, is not exactly a western, but it has many of its trademarks. Costner plays George Blackledge, a retired sheriff living on a farm in Montana with his wife, Margaret (Diane Lane). After their son dies in an accident, they remain close with his widow, Lorna (Kayli Carter), and their grandson Jimmy for a few years until she marries Donnie Weboy (Will Brittain).

Margaret suspects Donnie isn’t good to Lorna and Jimmy, and when they move to another state unexpectedly, Margaret convinces George to go after them. They soon discover that Donnie’s meanness is just the tip of the iceberg in the Weboy family, led by icy matriarch Blanche (Lesley Manville).

Written and directed by Thomas Bezucha and based on the novel by Larry Watson, the film contains only a few fleeting moments of happiness. The vast majority of the story is filled with at least undercurrents of sadness, if not outright tragedy. Viewers hardly have a chance to settle in before bad things start to happen, a decision that sets the tone but also robs the film of some of its narrative momentum.

The bumpy start proves somewhat fateful for the main part of the plot. While Margaret and George’s goal with their journey is understandable, things become murky once they actually arrive. The Weboy clan is meant to exude evil, and while they do on many occasions, it’s not a constant through line. This is especially true with Bill Weboy (Jeffrey Donovan), who seems only to be doing the bidding of Blanche.

Still, there’s no doubt what would be best for Lorna and Jimmy, and the film’s third act brings the two families into sharp relief. Strangely, it’s during this final section where the audience is finally given some real insight into George and Margaret’s relationship, helping Bezucha do an effective job at setting up the finale. The last-ditch effort still doesn’t make the ending as powerful as it could have been, but it makes it more than a dud.

Costner and Lane, teaming up again after playing Superman’s adoptive parents in Man of Steel, carry the film thanks to their chemistry. Each has a way of giving a subtle reaction to the other that indicates decades of history for their characters. Manville is a definite presence in her short time on screen, although her character is little more than one-note.

Let Him Go – a strange title, as it’s never clear who “him” is supposed to be – plays on Costner’s western history while also letting women take the lead for once. Its unrelentingly sad story may not be a balm for those looking for an escape, but the story delivers the good when it needs to.

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Let Him Go opens exclusively in theaters on November 6.

Lesley Manville in Let Him Go.

Lesley Manville in Let Him Go

Photo by Kimberly French / Focus Features

Lesley Manville in Let Him Go.

Weekend Event Planner

These are the 16 best things to do in Dallas this Halloween weekend

World Ballet Company: Cinderella

Photo courtesy of World Ballet Company

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With the fall weather finally settling in this Halloween weekend, you would hope for a bunch of outdoor events to take advantage of the coolness. Alas, the top events in and around Dallas this weekend all take place indoors, including two theater productions, five concerts, a well-known comedian, three dance productions, the opening of a new art exhibition, a Halloween/fall-themed festival, a Disney film in concert, and a live version of a favorite game show.

World Ballet Company: Cinderella

Photo courtesy of World Ballet Company

World Ballet Company presents Cinderella at Majestic Theatre on November 1.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, October 30

L.I.P. Service and Auriga Productions presents Richard III
This staging of Richard III reimagines one of Shakespeare’s most notorious villains through a contemporary lens - one that celebrates diversity, provokes dialogue, and refuses to shy away from controversy. In this interpretation, Richard III becomes more than a tale of ambition and deceit; it becomes a mirror reflecting today’s debates about power and representation. The production runs through November 16 at Bath House Cultural Center.

NBA YoungBoy in concert
The rapper NBA YoungBoy returns to Dallas for the second time in two months. He has become as well known for his music as he has his brushes with the law. His top-selling albums, including the new MASA, have had to compete with headlines about federal drug and gun charges, for which he was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump. He'll perform at American Airlines Center, joined by Offset, NoCap, DeeBaby, Mellow Rackz, and Baby Mel.

Friday, October 31

Halloween happenings
For some people, Halloween is the best holiday of the year. Dallas restaurants are ready to serve with spooky events, sweet treats, and special themed dinners. For a list of haunted houses, click here, and for thrills on stage, go here. Ahead of the holiday, be sure to read up on some of Dallas' most famous ghosts here.

Broadway Dallas presents Maria Callas in Concert: The Hologram Tour
State-of-the-art holographic technology will bring world-renowned opera star Maria Callas to life on stage. The concert will feature the legendary soprano’s digitally remastered recordings, and include arias from Bellini, Bizet, Verdi, Puccini, Gounod, and more, with live accompaniment from The Dallas Opera Orchestra. The concert takes place at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Dallas Comedy Club presents Jerrod Carmichael
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael has had a pretty good last few years after paying his dues for the first 15 years of his career. He directed his first movie, On the Count of Three, in 2021; released the acclaimed Rothaniel special in 2022; got nominated for an Emmy for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2022; hosted the Golden Globe Awards in 2023; and appeared in the Oscar-winning Poor Things in 2023. He'll do what he does best - comedy - in two shows on Friday at Dallas Comedy Club.

TITAS/Dance Unbound presents Ballet Preljocaj
TITAS will welcome back France’s Ballet Preljocaj with their work, GRAVITÉ, an exploration of gravity. One of France’s most celebrated contemporary dance companies, the troupe is known for its bold, dramatic choreography, brought to life by skilled dancers and music. They will put on performances on Friday and Saturday at Moody Performance Hall.

Theatre Denton presents Dial M for Murder
This fresh version of the thrilling murder mystery Dial M for Murder, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, depicts where one man’s jealousy results in a web of deception and danger. The production runs through November 9 at Theatre Denton.

Saturday, November 1

World Ballet Company presents Cinderella
World Ballet Company’s production of Cinderella is performed live by a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, featuring over 150 hand-sewn costumes, handcrafted sets, and choreography by Marina Kesler. It's an enchanting story for all ages with a dose of humor, majesty of classical ballet, and the promise of "happily ever after." The performance takes place at Majestic Theatre.

Ballet Ensemble of Texas presents Dracula: Ballet with a Bite!
The annual production of DRACULA: Ballet with a Bite has become a tradition for the Ballet Ensemble of Texas, featuring unique twists to the traditional story. In addition to the performances, guests can participate in “The Vein Drain” (a blood drive in collaboration with the Carter Blood Center), “Drinks with Dracula” prior to the performance, and a “Fiendish Frock Fashion Fantasy,” a costume parade for the audience at the performance. The event takes place at Coppell Arts Center.

Dom Dolla in concert
Grammy-nominated Australian music producer Dom Dolla emerged with a string of critically acclaimed club hits, including "Define," "You," "Be Randy," "Take It," "San Frandisco," 'Pump The Breaks," "Moving Blind," and "Strangers" ft. Mansionair. His latest song, "No Room for a Saint" (with Nathan Nicholson) appears on the soundtrack for F1 the Movie. He'll perform at Dos Equis Pavilion.

Patty Griffin in concert with Rickie Lee Jones
Singer Patty Griffin has had a long and successful career as a folk musician. Even though her career dates back to 1996, she had her best run in the 2010s, in which she won two Grammy Awards and scored a No. 1 album with 2010's Downtown Church. A prolific songwriter, her songs have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt, The Chicks, Bette Midler, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, and more. She'll perform at Longhorn Ballroom, joined by Rickie Lee Jones.

Maná in concert
Mexican pop rock band Maná is one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time, having sold over 45 million records worldwide. Initially recording under the name of Sombrero Verde for their first two albums, they have released 11 albums in their career, most recently Cama Incendiada in 2015. Each of their last five albums went to No. 1 on the Billboard Latin chart, also landing high on the overall Billboard 200. They'll play on both Saturday and Sunday at American Airlines Center.

Sunday, November 2

Dallas Museum of Art presents "International Surrealism" opening day
Dallas Museum of Art will present "International Surrealism," featuring over 100 works by an international array of artists, all drawn from the impressive collection of Tate in London. The exhibition highlights the wide range of practices, techniques and perspectives from across the globe that came to define the movement, emphasizing the endless reach of the surrealist mindset through a rich display of works by celebrated artists and writers, including André Breton, Leonora Carrington, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte, as well as their peers. The exhibition will remain on display through March 22, 2026.

Globe Life Field presents Fall Festival
Globe Life Field's second annual Fall Festival will feature a wide array of fall-themed activities directly on the field at the home of the Texas Rangers. Guests are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and bring their own trick-or-treat containers. Events will include trick or treat stations, hourly costume parades around the bases, carnival games, run the bases, wiffle ball, free play on the field, pitch in the bullpen, face painting, yard games, photo ops in the dugouts, and more.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Disney's Moana Live-to-Film Concert
Disney’s Moana Live-To-Film Concert features a full-length screening of the beloved movie accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters, and vocalists. The event, taking place at Majestic Theatre, celebrates the music and songs from the award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film.

Wheel of Fortune Live
Hosted by a celebrity guest host, Wheel of Fortune LIVE! brings the excitement of the favorite TV game show to life, giving fans the chance to solve puzzles, win prizes and possibly become a Wheel of Fortune TV contestant. Audience members will be randomly selected to come up on stage to spin the famous Wheel and show their skill to win prizes. They will also be able to audition on-site for the chance to appear as a contestant on a future episode of the TV show. It takes place at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

theater music concerts comedy dance exhibitions-visual-arts festivals kids families movies event-planner

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