The Promised Land

Play trailer

2:02

The Promised Land

R

Released Feb 2, 2024

2h 7m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

128 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) -- a proud, ambitious, but impoverished war hero -- sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself. This beautiful but forbidding area also happens to be under the rule of the merciless Frederik De Schinkel, a preening nobleman who realizes the threat Kahlen represents to his power. Struggling against the elements and local brigands, Kahlen is joined by a couple who have fled the clutches of the rapacious De Schinkel. As this group of misfits begins to build a small community in this inhospitable place, De Schinkel swears vengeance, and the confrontation between him and Kahlen promises to be as violent and intense as these two men.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Mads Mikkelson leads us through the savage terrain of The Promised Land with a glimmer of hope in this epic Nordic tale with Western bones.

Read Critics Reviews

Stephen Romei

The Australian

There are times in the impressive Danish historical drama The Promised Land where Dr Lecter peeks from the eyes of the main character...

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 27, 2024

Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

The anti-immigrant and Romani sentiment expressed by Danes in 1755, although tinged with superstition, sounds eerily familiar. Mostly, though, The Promised Land, in common with its hero, ploughs a furrow as a rough-hewn costumed adventure.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2024

Full Review

Sergio Burstein

Los Angeles Times

The only problem here is that the whole ends up feeling a bit didactic and leaning towards the narrative style of Hollywood simplicity, yet does not take away from the power of a film that definitely deserves to be seen. [Full review in Spanish]

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A costume drama based on the true story of a captain cultivating Danish moors despite many obstacles.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 9, 2025

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

For all its lapses in portraying romance, The Promised Land is still an inspiring, relentlessly gritty tale of one undying determination, an indomitable will to achieve the impossible against all odds.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 26, 2024

Full Review

Robert W. Butler

Butler's Cinema Scene

Terrific cinematography (Rasmus Videbaek) and utterly convincing production design (Jette Lehmann) mark this intimate epic.

Rated: B

Jul 5, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Gray S

Fantastic, evocative, timely story, beautifully told.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Janis

Great story and actors. Very sad story but realistic about life in the 1700s . Written well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Edward C

This is a great movie about a time period I knew very little about. Mads Mikkelsen is somehow able to captivate while at times saying or doing nothing.. It is a welcome break from the endless CGI/action films being released. Well worth watching!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/25

Full Review

Shawn T

Mads delivers and delivers and delivers

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

Full Review

Audience Member

The most subtle yet effective character development I've ever seen, and incredible acting all around - Mikkelson is an absolute treasure. Such a captivating movie, highly recommend.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Online A

Outstanding, epic drama on par with movies like There Will Be Blood or Gladiator. More slow burn, more harrowing yet equal in weight & detail. Great script, direction, characters, cinematography. The best movie I saw from 2024.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Nikolaj Arcel

Director

Mads Mikkelsen

Ludvig Kahlen

Amanda Collin

Ann Barbara

Gustav Lindh

Anton Eklund

Melina Hagberg

Actor

Kristine Kujath Thorp

Edel Helene

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Awards Leaderboard: Top Movies of 2023

The Promised Land: Trailer 1

2:02

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) -- a proud, ambitious, but impoverished war hero -- sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself. This beautiful but forbidding area also happens to be under the rule of the merciless Frederik De Schinkel, a preening nobleman who realizes the threat Kahlen represents to his power. Struggling against the elements and local brigands, Kahlen is joined by a couple who have fled the clutches of the rapacious De Schinkel. As this group of misfits begins to build a small community in this inhospitable place, De Schinkel swears vengeance, and the confrontation between him and Kahlen promises to be as violent and intense as these two men.

Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Producer: Louise Vesth
Screenwriter: Anders Thomas Jensen, Nikolaj Arcel
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Zentropa Entertainment
Rating: R (Brief Nudity|Bloody Violence|Language|Some Sexuality)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: Danish
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 2, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $256.3K
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now