The Land of Steady Habits

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2:26

The Land of Steady Habits

2018

1h 38m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Feeling trapped in the stifling, wealthy enclave of Westport, Conn., a man retires from his job in finance and leaves his wife in the hopes that it will renew his lust for life. He befriends a drug-addicted teen, sending him down a path of reckless, regrettable behavior. His shameful actions cause him to question who he is as a father and, ultimately, who he is as a person.

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Critics Consensus

With typically sharp work from writer-director Nicole Holofcener and finely layered performances, The Land of Steady Habits is one mid-life crisis worth watching.

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David Stratton

The Australian

The film is smart, intelligent and one of the best from this always interesting director.

Mar 28, 2020

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Pamela Hutchinson

Sight & Sound

It's Holofcener's first film for Netflix, which may be ruthlessly fitting given its attack on staid domestic archetypes and middle-class mores.

Jan 2, 2019

Full Review

David Edelstein

New York Magazine/Vulture

A great actor when his motor is running fast, Mendelsohn is surprisingly attractive at slower speeds and better when Holofcener makes him twist.

Sep 18, 2018

Full Review

Daniel Howat

Next Best Picture

This makes for a sad but effective film, with unfortunate characters who want to be whole again but have no clue how to get there.

Rated: 7/10

May 19, 2022

Full Review

Matthew St. Clair

Cinema Sentries

Thanks to its humanistic acting and carefully constructed writing, The Land Of Steady Habits is a poignant depiction of a man trying to find a new lease.

Oct 5, 2020

Full Review

Matt Cipolla

Film Monthly

[A]side from its technical fluency and a typically effortless performance from Ben Mendelsohn, this self-pity party feels a decade too late.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 25, 2020

Full Review

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acsdoug D

While I usually don't like movies like this - family dramas that don't really go anywhere - I actually liked this one. It has relatable characters and moments of genuine humor

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

Full Review

Vanesa C

I totally loved that movie and find it worthwhile watching it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

Knoe F

Excellent, nuanced film with great acting, writing and direction! Wish there were more of this quality.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

Full Review

Dave V

It is a dark film, but very well done. A midlife crisis turns into a web of lives being affected. It is very realistic and helps people grasp and understand the emotional roller coaster when one experiences this phase of life. When one looks at their life and begins to wonder what it is all about. I enjoyed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/04/24

Full Review

Gary K

Relentlessly bleak. Not really poignant and the characters don't show much growth or find a path forward in life.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Alec B

One of the better movies about suburban ennui. Holofcener understands that each character's unhappiness is deeper than mere dissatisfaction.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

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Nicole Holofcener

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Ben Mendelsohn

Anders Hill

Edie Falco

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The Land of Steady Habits: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

Feeling trapped in the stifling, wealthy enclave of Westport, Conn., a man retires from his job in finance and leaves his wife in the hopes that it will renew his lust for life. He befriends a drug-addicted teen, sending him down a path of reckless, regrettable behavior. His shameful actions cause him to question who he is as a father and, ultimately, who he is as a person.

Director: Nicole Holofcener
Producer: Stefanie Azpiazu, Anthony Bregman
Screenwriter: Nicole Holofcener
Distributor: Netflix
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 14, 2018
Runtime: 1h 38m

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