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Eastern Promises

Play trailer Poster for Eastern Promises R Released Sep 14, 2007 1h 40m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 198 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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Eastern Promises

Eastern Promises

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 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 Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Beyond the film's eroticized violence and secretive world among the brutal Russian gangsters, Cronenberg also tells an immigrant story about people who want a better life only to find their desire exploited. Rated: 4/4 Apr 4, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Michael P This movie is good, a very solid gangster movie and the brutality caught me by surprise. As a new dad, certain things made me sick to my stomach but definitely proved a point. I did think the story was a little too predictable, calling most of the twists and reveals but didn't take away too much Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/08/24 Full Review Michael R It would've been better if it was about two hours instead of 96 minutes, with more character development. That said, the acting and direction was excellent. I really enjoyed it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Arya S Well told, taut crime story with fantastic Mortensen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/30/24 Full Review Sams K Not Cronenberg's best, but definitely a great one! Great actors, photography and story! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/27/24 Full Review Chris F I wanted to love Eastern Promises. A History of Violence is one of my most liked films, but EP just did not do it for me. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Eastern Promises

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Cast & Crew

Eastern Promises

Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Ordinary People Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Ordinary People 2:27 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - The Exchange Eastern Promises: Official Clip - The Exchange 2:37 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Thawing the Corpse Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Thawing the Corpse 2:49 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Anna's Ride Home Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Anna's Ride Home 3:10 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Progress Report Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Progress Report 1:54 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Reasonable Responses Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Reasonable Responses 2:58 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Soccer Game Killing Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Soccer Game Killing 1:21 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Tattoo Ceremony Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Tattoo Ceremony 3:15 Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Prayers For the Prostitute Eastern Promises: Official Clip - Prayers For the Prostitute 1:33 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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