Netflix is removing Lesley Manville’s dark and gripping revenge thriller Let Him Go very soon
Netflix subscribers have only a short time left to watch Let Him Go, the 2020 thriller starring Kevin Costner, Diane Lane and Lesley Manville. The film is scheduled to leave the streaming service on 29 September, giving viewers until the end of the month to catch Thomas Bezucha’s tense neo-Western.
At the center of the story is a grieving couple whose attempt to protect their grandson draws them into a dangerous confrontation with a family they quickly realize is far more threatening than they expected.
Costner plays George Blackledge, a retired sheriff, while Lane portrays his wife, Margaret. After losing their son, the couple remain on their Montana ranch until a disturbing development involving their grandson forces them to leave home.
Their former daughter-in-law, Lorna, has remarried Donnie Weboy, a man from a powerful North Dakota family. When George and Margaret discover that their grandson Jimmy is living with the Weboys, they become increasingly concerned about his safety.
The film’s official premise follows the couple as they leave their Montana ranch to bring the boy home from the dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas. The Weboys, led by the formidable Blanche Weboy, have no intention of giving him up.
Lesley Manville plays the film’s ruthless matriarch
While Kevin Costner and Diane Lane provide the emotional center of Let Him Go, Lesley Manville delivers one of its most memorable performances as Blanche Weboy, the uncompromising matriarch who leads the violent Weboy clan.
Blanche is not simply another obstacle standing between George and Margaret and their grandson. She represents the power and control of the family the couple have entered, turning their search for Jimmy into an increasingly dangerous struggle.
Manville’s performance gives the film much of its menace. Speaking previously about playing Blanche, the actor explained that there is something appealing about taking on morally bad characters. She suggested that playing such women could perhaps serve as a form of subconscious therapy, particularly because her own life is quite wholesome.
The role is a striking departure from the more restrained characters Manville has played elsewhere, allowing her to lean into the darker side of the story.
A family drama that gradually becomes a revenge thriller
Let Him Go begins with grief and family conflict before moving steadily into much darker territory.
George and Margaret are already carrying the pain of losing their son. Their concern for Jimmy gives them a new purpose, but the further they travel into North Dakota, the more they realize that rescuing him will not be straightforward.
The Weboys are a violent and controlling family, and Blanche is determined to keep control of the situation. George’s background as a former sheriff gives him experience in dealing with danger, while Margaret’s determination to protect her grandson drives much of the couple’s journey.
The result is a film that moves between family drama, suspense and action, eventually developing into a brutal confrontation.
Officially classified as a drama, mystery and thriller, the film runs for 1 hour and 54 minutes and was directed by Thomas Bezucha, who also wrote the screenplay. It is based on Larry Watson’s novel of the same name.
The film was released theatrically in the United States on 6 November 2020.
Viewers have praised its dark atmosphere
The film has developed a following among viewers who responded to its combination of slow-burning drama and increasingly intense suspense.
One IMDb reviewer described Let Him Go as an unforgettable, brooding melodrama that takes particularly sinister turns in its second half. Another called it dark and disturbing while still finding the story engaging.
A separate viewer praised the balance between drama and action, while also highlighting the performances from Costner and Lane and the film’s high-stakes tension.
That darker tone is a major part of what distinguishes Let Him Go. Rather than relying on constant action, the film takes its time building tension before allowing the conflict to erupt.
Critics have also responded positively to the film. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists an 85% Tomatometer score from 197 reviews, with its consensus noting that the blend of adult drama and revenge thriller is strengthened by its veteran cast.
Costner and Lane lead a veteran cast
Costner and Lane reunite as George and Margaret Blackledge, the couple at the heart of the story.
The supporting cast includes Kayli Carter as Lorna, Will Brittain as Donnie Weboy, Lesley Manville as Blanche Weboy, Jeffrey Donovan as Bill Weboy, and Booboo Stewart as Peter Dragswolf.
The film’s Western setting also plays an important role. Much of the story is built around the contrast between George and Margaret’s relatively quiet life in Montana and the isolated, threatening world inhabited by the Weboys.
That setting gives the movie the feel of a modern Western while allowing its central conflict to remain rooted in family, grief and the lengths people will go to protect those they love.
The clock is ticking on Netflix
For anyone who has been meaning to watch Let Him Go, the window is closing.
Netflix is set to remove the film on 29 September, so subscribers have until then to watch Costner, Lane and Manville’s tense confrontation.
At 114 minutes, it can be watched in a single evening, but viewers should expect a film that takes its time building toward its darkest moments rather than delivering nonstop action from the opening scene.
Let Him Go is currently available through other home-entertainment platforms as well, although availability varies by region. Universal Pictures lists the film in digital and physical formats.
Watch the official trailer
Let Him Go leaves Netflix on 29 September.