Promised Land

Promised Land (2012)

  • 51% of critics liked it
    (144 reviews)

  • 45% of users liked it
    (15,325 ratings)

Promised Land is the new contemporary drama directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk). Matt Damon plays Steve Butler, an ace corporate salesman who is sent along with his partner, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand), to close a key rural town in his company's expansion plans. With the town… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Dave Eggers
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Jan 4, 2013 Wide
On DVD
Apr 23, 2013
Focus Features

Critic Reviews

  • Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com

    This is a solid if at times too conventional tale of a classic moral conflict.

  • Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

    [It's mostly] a well-wrought drama that feels genuine as it goes about spinning a tale worthy of our challenging times.

  • Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

    Promised Land is more effective as an anti-fracking screed than as a drama.

  • Connie Ogle, Miami Herald

    Damon and McDormand are terrific as co-workers seeking the same goal, though they see their work from different points of view.

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

    This isn't a movie about easy fixes, be they personal or political; it's a film about long-term problems.

Read all 26 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Everett J


    **1/2 A few years ago I watched a movie called "Gasland" about natural gas fraking(I think I spelled that right) here in the U.S. Basically when companies get naturdal gas from the ground, bad stuff can happen. This is a movie that deals with that and dramatizes it. Matt… More

  • Manu G


    What's your price? Great Film! Here's a good little movie. Interesting story, extremely well written, directed and acted. Helicopter shots add to the beautiful location cinematography. Great use of music, some original. This movie is not about the environmental devastation… More

  • danny d


    excellent tackling of an interesting topic in a narrative format. i was already interested in the issues surrounding fracking leading into this film. ive read on it and seen documentaries. i was a tad disappointed that the film took a stance as by all accounts this issue is not at… More

  • Nate Z


    Actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski co-wrote Promised Land, which has been labeled as the anti-fracking movie. I wish. While it does take a suspicious view of the practice of extracting natural gas via high-powered underground water jets laced with chemicals, the movie feels too… More

  • The Movie W


    Steve (Damon) is a rep for Global Crosspower Solutions, an energy company who specialize in extracting natural gas through the controversial practice of "fracking". Hailing from a small rural town in Iowa has given him an edge in winning over the residents of such… More

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

Also available on

UltraViolet Retailers

Other Retailers

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (84)

Trailers & Clips