Eastern Promises

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Eastern Promises

R

Released Sep 14, 2007

1h 40m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen), who is both ruthless and mysterious, has ties to one of the most dangerous crime families in London. He crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts), a midwife who has come across potentially damaging evidence against the family, which forces him to set in motion a plan of deceit, death and retribution.

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Critics Consensus

David Cronenberg triumphs again, showcasing the Viggo Mortensen's onscreen prowess in a daring performance. Bearing the trademarks of psychological drama and gritty violence, Eastern Promises is a very compelling crime story.

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

The extras are all but perfunctory, but Kinos exquisite 4K transfer is easily the best that Eastern Promises has looked on home video to date.

Apr 25, 2022

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Such are the actual subtleties of Mortensen's performance - the odd sardonic smile; the slight tightening of a look - you're aware, from the off, that what he is on the outside might not have anything to do with what he is on the inside.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Alonso Duralde

MSNBC

Eastern Promises has a lot going for it, which makes it all the more disappointing when the story takes a fatal turn towards the end.

Rated: 3/5

May 1, 2008

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

Viggo's second collaboration with Cronenberg doesn't have the same juice as A History of Violence and the story would have benefitted from exploring the Krill character more, but the naked bath fight is a keeper!

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 2, 2025

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Represented one of Cronenberg’s stronger periods, one with more mainstream success than the director has typically enjoyed. (15th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Viggo Mortensen gives a fascinating performance in this dark and violent journey full of secrets, fidelity and family. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

May 18, 2022

Full Review

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Stefano C

I liked the environment a lot. For some reason, mainstream movies can't avoid putting a romance everywhere, even when there are mafia and murders involved.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

Full Review

acsdoug D

Not sure why this one garners such raves. The fight scene is pretty good, but other than that I didn't see anything special here.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

Full Review

Barrie S

Quite watchable, good acting, plenty of the obligatory foul language (what film isn’t nowadays?) but I found the ending somewhat…unfinished. One of those films that seemed to suddenly come to an end and I thought ‘Oh, is that it?’

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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Dave S

The best Russian gangster movie ever made. Great acting and directing. Viggo Mortensen steals the show.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

Full Review

Ian C

This movie feels like it was written by Michael Scott.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

Full Review

Online A

Sensationally shot, directed, & paced. The way it immerses you into Russian culture nearly reminded me of the wedding scenes from Deer Hunter or Godfather. It's different than those movies, but as much effort was invested into precision on small details. Cronenberg's best ability (at least in Eastern Promises & The Fly) is pacing. You never feel the need to fast forward, and there isn't much wasted film. Many great movies have lulls; this really doesn't. It's an achievement and one of the better movies I've seen recently. Good enough to watch multiple times.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

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David Cronenberg

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Nikolai

Naomi Watts

Anna

Vincent Cassel

Kirill

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Semyon

Sinead Cusack

Helen

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Ordinary People

2:27

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - The Exchange

2:37

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Thawing the Corpse

2:49

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Anna's Ride Home

3:10

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Progress Report

1:54

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Reasonable Responses

2:58

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Soccer Game Killing

1:21

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Tattoo Ceremony

3:15

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Prayers For the Prostitute

1:33

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Synopsis

Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen), who is both ruthless and mysterious, has ties to one of the most dangerous crime families in London. He crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts), a midwife who has come across potentially damaging evidence against the family, which forces him to set in motion a plan of deceit, death and retribution.

Director: David Cronenberg
Producer: Paul Webster, Robert Lantos
Screenwriter: Steven Knight
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Serendipity Point Films
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Some Graphic Sexuality|Strong Bloody Violence|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.1M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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