Let Him Go (2020)

"Let Him Go" (2020): A Haunting Portrait of Love, Loss, and the Strength to Let Go

Let Him Go, directed by Thomas Bezucha and based on the novel by Larry Watson, is far more than just a suspenseful thriller. It is a deeply moving story of grief, unwavering love, and the quiet courage it takes to do what is right—even when the cost is everything.

Set against the vast and unforgiving landscapes of 1960s Montana and North Dakota, the film follows George and Margaret Blackledge (played with stunning subtlety by Kevin Costner and Diane Lane), a retired sheriff and his wife. After the tragic death of their son, their world is turned upside down. When their widowed daughter-in-law remarries into a dangerous and controlling family—the Weboys—and disappears with their grandson, the couple sets off on a journey to bring the boy back.

But this is no ordinary rescue mission. What unfolds is a tale of quiet desperation and fierce love, where every look and every silence speaks volumes. Margaret’s maternal instincts and determination to protect her grandson are beautifully juxtaposed against George’s stoic loyalty and moral resolve. Diane Lane gives a performance filled with grace and restrained intensity, while Kevin Costner’s portrayal is a masterclass in quiet strength.

At its heart, Let Him Go is a meditation on what it means to be family, and what it means to truly let go—not only of the people we’ve lost, but of the control we desperately cling to in a world that so often defies us. The film doesn’t rely on grand speeches or explosive action to stir the heart. Instead, it finds its power in stillness—in a mother’s unspoken fear, in the aching distance between two people trying not to fall apart, in the cold wind that sweeps across lonely plains.

The film's cinematography captures the haunting beauty of the American Midwest, creating a sense of isolation and looming dread that mirrors the characters’ emotional journeys. And the Weboy family, led by Lesley Manville’s chilling performance as Blanche, brings a terrifying unpredictability that heightens the stakes without ever feeling sensationalized.

What makes Let Him Go so affecting is its emotional authenticity. This is a story about ordinary people—flawed, grieving, deeply human—fighting for what they believe is right. It's about the unbearable weight of loss, and the lengths we go to protect those we love, even when it breaks us.

By the time the film reaches its devastating conclusion, it leaves a lasting impression not through spectacle, but through sincerity. Let Him Go is a powerful reminder that sometimes, love means holding on—and sometimes, it means having the strength to say goodbye.