Some movies are fun to watch, but don’t stick with you once you leave the theater. Others may be slow burns that require your focus, but your mind keeps playing back moments months or years after the credits. THE PROMISED LAND is the rare gem that does both. Set in 18th-century Denmark, the story follows Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) on a quixotic journey to cultivate the seemingly untamable Danish heath.
Don’t be misled by the agrarian premise; director and writer Nikolaj Arcel takes the viewer through a thrilling Western-inspired adventure – think FIRST COW or MINARI meets GAME OF THRONES. While THE PROMISED LAND is based on a true story, and many story elements feel familiar, the execution of Ludvig Kahlen’s story is incredibly well done and is ultimately one of the most unique I’ve seen on screen.
Mikkelsen shines in his role – Kahlen is a complex character; likable yet unfriendly, ambitious yet opportunistic, driven yet misguided. On the flip side, the film’s villain, Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg) is one of the most evil characters put to screen; almost (but importantly, not quite) on the borderline of being unrealistic. Amanda Collin, known for her role as Mother in RAISED BY WOLVES, also has a stellar performance as Ann Barbara.
There aren’t that many movies that I feel like I need to watch a second time, but THE PROMISED LAND is one of them. It’s a shame that this movie has such a limited theatrical window, but I hope it gains recognition in the years to come. And I’d love to see more films in this genre; something about a Nordic Western is just inexplicably cool.
THE PROMISED LAND is now playing in theaters.
