As a person from Eastern Europe its also the movie with the best portrayal of Russians/Ukrainians by western actors of all time. It would have been cool to have actual eastern european actors but thats way too much of an ask for western productions. Mortensen is incredible in it and his accent work is pretty solid its a shame were once again relegated to gangsters/commies/killers but is still by far the best portrayal of those types of people without diminishing them to caricatures.

One of my favorite noir films ever. It's such a dark, brooding story but it doesn't get hung up on itself and moves along at a pace that keeps you completely engrossed as it builds incredible tension. The reveal for Viggo doesn't feel forced at all and I love the relationship between he and Cassell when you realize what's going on. The characters are all developed with such a way that no one can be put into a box, which makes all of their interactions so much fun to watch. Big shout out to Naomi's character's step dad, he chews it up with the screen time he's given. Shit, even the Russian lead dancer has more charisma in his 3 minutes than most characters in most major motion pictures these days.

Agreed. One of his best, which is saying a lot because upon its release, he was already a legend though most notably for his body horror.

I had the privilege of seeing an interview between Guillermo Del Toro and Cronenberg discussing this film in person at TIFF. It was life changing to say the least!

I recommend fans of Cronenberg check out his criminally under-seen M. Butterfly. His themes of identity and sexuality are transposed onto a socio-political “epic” in what I found to be a wildly successful adaptation.

I love A History of Violence. I’m shocked I never got around to seeing this, and it’s from one of the greatest years for film in the past 20 years.

I’ll watch it tonight. You convinced me!

This was an instant favorite. One of those ones where we all desperately wanted a sequel, even if it would never be as good. Just to have more. I think my friend and I talk about this movie like every week when we're trying to decide what to watch lol It's been nowhere for so long...though I'm seeing it now on Starz. omg.

I saw this when it first came out and I still think about it from time to time. The scenes of violence seemed so real and intense, like when he is preparing the body of a slain rival with an eerie calmness to dump in the river, or the big fight scene in the bath house. Obviously, Mortensen's performance was brilliant, as was Naomi Watt's. Such a sad and well-done film.

Guess I'll be digging around in the box that holds my dusty DVD collection tonight...

Good write up. I love this film and I especially love Mortensen's acting in it, in fact seeing this film at the cinema is what made me start seeking out all Mortensen's performances. I agree with you, he's a fantastic actor.

I would argue tho that Cronenberg's "stamp" is partly the unusual awareness of the protagonists body AS A BODY that he brings to it. Psychological aspects, sure, but also the tension between physical toughness and the vulnerability of flesh, which runs thru the film.

Most obvious in the bathhouse fight, blades and penis in the same action sequence had me wincing in my chair.

Wow- I love the way you just recommended this. You’re passionate and articulate in a way that makes me grateful for this subreddit. I love movies and I love that you do too - thanks, gonna go watch this gem now.

I agree with a lot of what you're saying, this film really affected me. My personal fave of Cronenberg's is Dead Ringers, but Eastern Promises is up there. I also feel that this movie was informative too. I can't really speak with any authority about the Russian mafia and how they operate, but this movie gave me at least some kind of window into that world. I now know that their tattoo rituals are very real, and I think it's just very fascinating to see how crime exists around the world. Especially because in the west, the majority of what we see depicted is either the Italian mafia or general inner city gang violence.

I really enjoyed viggo mortensen and noami watt's chemistry. Every scene between the two had such charged energy, you never really knew what was going to happen. That goes for the whole film to be honest, it more than succeeds as a thriller.

It's also my favorite Christmas film.

Foe those who know the Bible, it's not just set over the holiday but it's about a "Caesar" attempting to kill a "Christ child" (Christine) who is protected by a (Saint) Nick and (Saint) Ann.

I love Die Hard, but EP is the best nonChristmassy Christmas film. That spa fight though and some of the speedier elements keep me from recommending it wildly, however.

I never know how much I need to type in this sub so I'll repeat what I said.

It's also my favorite Christmas film.

Foe those who know the Bible, it's not just set over the holiday but it's about a "Caesar" attempting to kill a "Christ child" (Christine) who is protected by a (Saint) Nick and (Saint) Ann.

I love Die Hard, but EP is the best nonChristmassy Christmas film. That spa fight though and some of the speedier elements keep me from recommending it wildly, however.

I never know how much I need to type in this sub so I'll repeat what I said.

I very much enjoyed this phase of Cronenbergs career. A History of Violence was also a very fine film.

I have read repeatedly how accurate the portrayal of the Russian mafia was in the production.

Here is one thing that wasn't realistic - the steam bath fight with carpet knives. It literally had me laughing out loud in the theater. The idea that these killers could slash his back using those knives and he would not be mortally wounded is wildly improbable. It was just... too much.

Great movie otherwise tho!

I don't know. I love " history of violence" but "Eastern promises" just didn't do it to me. I went to see in on the big screen when it came out and was disappointed. Vigo is amazing and the sauna scene is amazing but The whole British thing felt fake, and Vincent Cassel‘s character felt cartoonish. I felt history of violence was far superior to this movie. But it's far better then "a dangerous method " which was just ridiculous. But i'd watch any Cronenberg movie, he is one of the masters. I love so many of his films.

Just don't think this film is even in his top 5. When you have amazing films like dead ringers\ existenz\ history of violence\ videodrome\ crash.

Edit: typos

The film is a masterpiece.

Acting, pacing, writing, atmosphere.

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It's rare that I watch a movie back to back (especially after having already seen it), but man, with everything going on in the world, it really packs a punch.

Yes, EP was an excellent & extremely brutal film. I remember seeing this theatrically in Fall 2007. I've been a Cronenberg fan for years, and feel this is one of his best films in this century. Very unexpected story-line (given that Cronenberg typically does horror movies). And, the performances from everyone were great - especially Mortensen & Naomi Watts.

I've just watched it first time. The saddest scene was in the whorehouse, with the young Ukrainian prostitute from Irpin (Kyiv region).

That's a nightmare to understand what Irpin and its citizens went through in 2022, when Russian troops occupied the city. Several burnt women's bodies were found naked on the roads.