Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poetic grief journey with smoking, language, mature themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Unknown Country
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
An artfully poetic exploration across America and humanity, THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY navigates one Native American woman's (Lily Gladstone) healing road trip as she journeys through her grief and takes the scenic route outside of her comfort zone to her cousin's wedding.
Is It Any Good?
A healing road trip with a few bumpy detours, The Unknown Country is an artful expression of navigating grief and humanity with a quiet strength and relatable connection. Nomadic, free-spirited, and also a little directionless at times, Morrisa Maltz's debut indie film hits some poignant heartbeats of a grief journey that's rarely seen on screen.
However, there are some vague and confusing directorial choices as well. Side quests, slow scenic routes, and tangentially-related human-interest pieces disjoint the collective road trip flow, taking away from the soul of the story, the Indigenous roots, and Lily Gladstone's heartfelt performance. But if you can hang in there for the slow Cadillac ride, you just might enjoy the majestic views.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what the director wanted viewers to understand about grief and healing in The Unknown Country. How might the film affect viewers who are experiencing grief and loss in their lives?
How is Tana's connection to her Native American roots portrayed? Does it feel authentic or stereotypical? Why is it important to see Indigenous characters portrayed as complex and modern in films today?
Some scenes feel almost documentary-like at times. Why do you think that the director chose to blur the line between fiction and reality? Does knowing that some of the characters play the "real" versions of themselves change how you view the story as a whole?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 13, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2023
- Cast : Lily Gladstone , Raymond Lee , Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux
- Director : Morrisa Maltz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Native American (United States) Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Music Box Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Grandparents )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 5, 2026
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