AceShowbiz - With a modest $11 million debut and mixed reviews from critics, "Horizon: An American Saga", directed and starring Kevin Costner, has faced criticism. However, Michael Rooker asserts that "Horizon: An American Saga" is "real cinema" that offers a compelling narrative.

"It's real cinema, folks, so be prepared. We ain't used to that s**t. We're used to 90-minute movies, everything's 90 minutes, oh come on, give me a break, get over that s**t," Rooker said in an interview with TMZ. He believes modern audiences have become accustomed to short-form content and need to re-learn the value of long-form storytelling.

Rooker also praised Costner's direction and the film's ensemble cast, which includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Danny Huston and Giovanni Ribisi. "He's brilliant in this, he's a brilliant director and he has the ability to pick absolutely the cream of the crop," Rooker said.

Despite its box office struggles, "Horizon: An American Saga" has garnered support from author Stephen King, who defended the film against its critics. "Schadenfreude is 'taking pleasure in another's misfortune,' " King wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "It perfectly describes many reactions I've read to Costner s [sic] HORIZON. Why in God's name would anyone luxuriate in the failure of a film that isn't a sequel or part of the, God save us, 'Marvel universe?' "

King praised Costner's originality and ambition, even though the first installment in the planned four-part saga faces an uncertain future. "The negative reviews from critics have earned Horizon: An American Saga a Rotten Tomatoes score of 40%. The 71% audience score and B- Cinemascore suggest that viewers who actually saw the movie enjoyed it more, but these are still relatively mixed results," King noted.

Despite the challenges, Rooker remains hopeful that audiences will give "Horizon: An American Saga" a chance. "Stop hanging around. Go see the movie. You'll enjoy it. Go to the bathroom before you go in," he said.