Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

Let Him Go (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Let Him Go (2020) movie poster

Let Him Go is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Thomas Bezucha, starring Kevin Costner as George Blackledge, Diane Lane and Kayli Carter. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $10.8 million worldwide on a $21 million budget. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$10.8M
Echo Score
86
Loading streaming availability…
Let Him Go (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Thomas Bezucha
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$21M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Let Him Go About?

The premise of Let Him Go without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following a personal tragedy, a determined sheriff and his wife find themselves pursuing their granddaughter, who has been taken by a fiercely protective family living in the remote Dakota wilderness. What begins as a search for a missing child escalates into a tense confrontation as the couple challenges the clan’s customs and uncovers a complex history, leading to a dangerous struggle for custody and a clash of values.

Let Him Go Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on novel
  • husband wife relationship
  • grief
  • final battle
  • final showdown
  • marriage ceremony
  • montana
  • no opening credits
  • held at gunpoint
  • shot in the face
  • gladstone north dakota
  • written by director
+38 more
  • justice of the peace
  • montgomery ward
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • shot in the chest
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • violence
  • horse
  • feeding a horse
  • stable
  • man wears a cowboy hat
  • horseback riding
  • horse training
  • woman wears eyeglasses
  • baby boy
  • listening to music
  • mother in law daughter in law relationship
  • life magazine
  • baby nudity
  • prologue
  • wife ties her husband's necktie
  • wedding
  • remarriage
  • pickup truck
  • snowing
  • mother son embrace
  • snow
  • woman wears a flannel shirt
  • station wagon
  • watching someone
  • being watched
  • wife abuse
  • husband hits his wife
  • abusive husband
  • icing a cake
  • family relationships
  • wall clock
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Let Him Go Cast & Characters

Kevin Costner leads the cast as George Blackledge, with Diane Lane as Margaret Blackledge and Kayli Carter as Lorna Blackledge. Directed by Thomas Bezucha; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Let Him Go

· 11 more
From the director

More from Thomas Bezucha

More films directed by Thomas Bezucha, best-rated first: Big Eden, The Family Stone and Monte Carlo.

Full filmography
Ratings

Let Him Go Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Let Him Go 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

86 /100

Let Him Go Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a compelling blend of disciplined craftsmanship and emotionally resonant performances. It excels in visual composition and nuanced acting, while the measured storytelling and thematic intensity receive widespread praise. Some viewers noted intermittent pacing issues that temper its momentum, but these moments coexist with striking suspense and authentic character arcs. Despite occasional slow passages, the film maintains a cohesive rhythm and emotional depth. Overall, Let Him Go leaves a lasting impression through its cohesive artistry and heartfelt narrative.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates meticulous direction and thoughtful cinematography that captures the era’s landscapes with clarity. Production design faithfully recreates the 1960s setting through subtle details, while editing balances slow-burn tension with narrative progression. Camera movement and framing consistently reinforce the brooding atmosphere. Net effect: a visually assured presentation that supports the story without overstating its stylistic ambitions.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances anchor the narrative with restrained depth and palpable chemistry between the leads. The portrayals convey quiet resilience and profound tenderness, enriching the marriage portrait at the story’s core. Supporting roles further enhance relational dynamics through measured emotional beats. Overall, the film’s character work resonates effectively, sustaining audience investment in the protagonists’ journey.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, the screenplay offers a classical Western framework enriched by slow-burning suspense and thematic focus on family bonds. The plot remains coherent and thematically consistent, though some viewers found the pacing uneven in early scenes. Momentum builds steadily toward key turning points, punctuated by unexpected tension shifts. Ultimately, the narrative’s clarity and emotional stakes deliver a compelling, if measured, dramatic arc.

  • Sensory Experience 87

    When assessing sensory experience, the film’s score and sound design heighten tension without overwhelming dialogue, employing sparse instrumentation to underscore emotional beats. Visual cohesion emerges through an understated color palette and expansive widescreen compositions that frame both tranquility and menace. Ambient soundscapes punctuate key sequences with subtle impact. Taken together, these elements create an immersive audiovisual environment that complements the film’s tonal balance.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s thematic depth and strong performances encourage subsequent viewings, particularly for its exploration of familial devotion and moral stakes. The deliberate pacing and layered tension reveal additional nuances on repeat watches, though some viewers may find the slow-burning structure less conducive to frequent revisits. Still, the blend of character-driven drama and visual craftsmanship offers lasting appeal for audiences drawn to measured thrillers.

Plot

Let Him Go Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Let Him Go from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Montana, 1961, retired sheriff George Blackledge lives a quiet life on a serene ranch alongside his wife Margaret, their son James, James’s wife Lorna, and their infant grandson, Jimmy (played by the Hornung twins, Otto and Bram). However, their tranquility is shattered when Margaret spots James’s horse wandering alone and grows uneasy. Tragically, George finds James’s lifeless body by the creek after a fatal fall from his horse.

Full summary

The whole story of Let Him Go, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Let Him Go Box Office & Budget

Let Him Go grossed $10.8 million worldwide on a $21 million budget, 52% of what it cost. $9.4 million came from the US and Canada and $1.5 million (14%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.8M

52% of its budget back

US & Canada
$9.4M
International
$1.5M
Budget
$21M
US & Canada 86% Rest of the world 14%
Videos

Let Him Go Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 1 trailer and 7 clips.

All 8 videos
Let Him Go | Official Trailer
  • Clip "Bedtime"
  • Clip "Looking for a Weboy"
  • Clip "Go Careful"
  • Clip "Gal for Me"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Let Him Go?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the story begin in?

Cars

Cars in Let Him Go

8 cars on screen, including the 1958 Chevrolet Nomad and the 1951 Dodge B-Series.

All 8 cars
  • 1958 Chevrolet Nomad in Let Him Go 1958 Chevrolet Nomad Important role
  • 1951 Dodge B-Series in Let Him Go 1951 Dodge B-Series Important role
  • 1960 Chevrolet C-Series in Let Him Go 1960 Chevrolet C-Series Minor role
  • 1956 Chrysler New Yorker in Let Him Go 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Background role
Details

Let Him Go Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “L'un des notres” and “Відпусти його”.

Also known as
  • L'un des notres
  • Відпусти його
  • Борба за семейството
  • Uno de nosotros
  • Nechte ho jít
  • L'Un des nôtres
  • 렛 힘 고
  • Deixe-o Partir
  • Кровные узы
  • Nechajte ho ísť
  • 让他走
  • Déjalo ir
+23 more
  • Gitmesine İzin Ver
  • תנו לו ללכת
  • Οικογενειακοί Δεσμοί
  • 讓他走
  • A vér földje
  • Vienas iš mūsų
  • Laisse-le partir
  • Дозволь йому піти
  • Prawo krwi
  • تخطَ الأمر
  • Legea sângelui
  • Yksi meistä
  • Uno di noi
  • Lass ihn gehen
  • สายสัมพันธ์สุดท้าย
  • Не започвай нещо, което не можеш да довършиш
  • Pustite ga
  • Ļauj viņam iet
  • すべてが変わった日
  • Um de Nós
  • Un de nosaltres
  • Hãy để con ra đi
  • उसे जाने दो

Seen Let Him Go?

FAQ

Let Him Go FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Let Him Go, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Let Him Go?

Let Him Go runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was Let Him Go released?

Let Him Go was released on November 6, 2020.

Who directed Let Him Go?

Let Him Go was directed by Thomas Bezucha.

More films by Thomas Bezucha

Who is in the cast of Let Him Go?

Let Him Go stars Kevin Costner as George Blackledge, Diane Lane as Margaret Blackledge and Kayli Carter as Lorna Blackledge, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Let Him Go make at the box office?

Let Him Go grossed $10.8 million worldwide ($9.4 million domestic, $1.5 million international) on a budget of $21 million.

How is Let Him Go rated?

Let Him Go has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Let Him Go have a post-credit scene?

No. Let Him Go has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app