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Eastern Promises

Play trailer Poster for Eastern Promises R 2007 1h 40m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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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 04/25/2022
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. Go to Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator 08/23/2018
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. Go to Full Review Alonso Duralde MSNBC 05/01/2008
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network 01/02/2025
3.5/5
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! Go to Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine 09/19/2022
4/5
Represented one of Cronenberg’s stronger periods, one with more mainstream success than the director has typically enjoyed. (15th anniversary) Go to Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast 05/18/2022
4/5
Viggo Mortensen gives a fascinating performance in this dark and violent journey full of secrets, fidelity and family. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Marlyn Apr 8 Grizzly, plot ,protagonist okay Viggo the enforcer naked in a bloody blade fight almost dies Naomi Watts’s poor acting performance I don’t get the C- critic reviews See more Abd K @RT64344135 Apr 11 "Eastern promises" is, arguably, the best Cronenberg film ever! By keeping us at the edge of our seats all the time, and revealing secrets one by one, "Eastern promises" unfolds smartly and confidently. Cronenberg delivered a sharp, solid, and breath-taking picture that will rank among all-time great crime movies. Worth watching, can't be skipped! See more Tom C @TomCarsonLikesMovies Jan 4 An easy watch with a really good actor. Thought it was enjoyable but no real twists that weren't obvious and the story line is a little week, but overall fun watch See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Dec 30 I still have yet to see "A History of Violence", but I thought this one was really good. Loved Mortensen's performance. I kind of wish it was a little longer, but then again, I like short movies. I'm not too keen on director Cronenberg movies as a whole, but I liked this one from him. See more rex w @RT11010153 Dec 2 Gritty, violent, bloody, nasty, depressing, backstabbing, and uncompromising. Just the type of movie that I was in the mood for. See more Sergio A @Sergio83 Nov 9 A screenplay full of subtlety, which is what makes it truly great. The Cronenberg–Mortensen duo does it again after A History of Violence. See more Read all reviews
Eastern Promises

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Cast & Crew

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David Cronenberg

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Nikolai

Naomi Watts

Anna

Vincent Cassel

Kirill

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Semyon

Sinead Cusack

Helen

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Eastern Promises

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Eastern Promises

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Eastern Promises

A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." A scene from the film "Eastern Promises." Eastern Promises (2007) View more photos

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)