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Parents' Guide to

Eastern Promises

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Compelling but brutal mafia film for adults only.

Movie R 2007 100 minutes
Eastern Promises Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 6 parent reviews

rtgfc T.
rtgfc T. Adult
June 10, 2023
age 16+

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Erika F.
Erika F. Adult
November 8, 2019
age 17+

Truly amazing film, but full of adult content (referencing: sex/rape, drugs, violence, language, etc.)

Though incredibly moving and well-done (And a must-see for film lovers), it is full of adult content, and even so, has some difficult topics shown. While not exactly shown, rape is indicated throughout, as well as drug use (heroin) through forced usage. All of that is part of, and due to, the sex-trafficking of the young girl (child) who’s death begins the story. Throughout the whole film, there’s violence of various types (not any gore, but mostly gun and knife violence, as well as physical fights and beatings) and a lot of bad language. It’s a story based around the Russian mafia in Europe and their involvement in various illegal prospects including the drug trade, sex trafficking and prostitution, and hit men/murders. There’s sex scenes between the lead characters and prostitutes, forced sex and submission of a child (14-yr old), violence throughout, and the mirroring storyline following behind a detective and her case where she attempts to uncover those responsible for various murders and other gang related involvements. Dead bodies are shown in addition to all the language, violence, and sex; as well as the drug use and rape that’s insinuated more than shown. Probably not appropriate for young teens (and definitely not children), as well as anyone triggered by drug usage, sexual assault, kidnapping, or anything else referenced or shown in the film. Still a great movie and groundbreaking performance from Viggo Mortensen

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A bloodied, pregnant young girl named Tatiana steps into a convenience store, collapses, and is rushed to the hospital, where midwife Anna (Naomi Watts), manages to save her baby's life, but not hers. Shocked at Tatiana's age -- she was only 14 -- and the circumstances surrounding her death -- she was beaten and drugged -- Anna looks through her belongings and finds a diary that she hopes will help her find the Russian girl's family. And so begins filmmaker David Cronenberg's EASTERN PROMISES, which delves into the underbelly of immigrant London, where newcomers are forced into prostitution, disabled young men are manipulated into murder, and a fearsome Russian syndicate controls everything. It's a world that Cronenberg deftly renders with a moody, gritty palette and characters so twisted they're practically cork-screwed. While paging through Tatiana's diary, which is written in Cyrillic, Anna finds a business card for a Russian restaurant. Thinking Tatiana might have worked there, she shows up on its doorstep and accepts owner Semyon's (Armin Mueller-Stahl) help translating it, since her own Russian uncle (Jerzy Skolimowski) won't. (It's a moment too naïve for words, one of the film's weaknesses that can't be easily explained.) But there's nothing benign about Semyon's offer. When Anna learns the diary's contents, it's too late to undo the damage. She must turn to the one man whose intent is hardest to read. Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) is the driver for Semyon's desperate son, Kirill (Vincent Cassel), but is he Anna's foe or friend? Who is he anyway?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Cronenberg keeps Nikolai mysterious, a task for which the enigmatic Mortensen is more than worthy. He's unflappable, no matter what the job -- be it dismantling a corpse or parading nearly naked in front of the mob's top bosses. Veteran actor Armin Mueller-Stah conjures pure evil in a masterfully controlled performance)

Graphic violence is expected (required!) in Cronenberg's movies (Scanners, The Fly). But the accomplished auteur steps it up here, layering gore upon gore and overwhelming his own artistry. Just one example: A horrific-but-compelling ballet in which Nikolai is ambushed by two knife-wielding Chechen thugs in a bathhouse -- naked except for his extensive tattoos, he's as vulnerable as you can get -- is sabotaged and upstaged by a close-up of an eye being stabbed. (Oh, and then there's the scene of a throat getting hacked to bits as the movie opens...)

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the movie depicts mob life. Does it glamorize it or paint a more distasteful picture? How is it similar to and different from other movies about the mafia? Why are films in general fascinated by the criminal underworld? What about that subject drives filmmakers and screenwriters to explore it over and over? Families can also talk about the role of violence in the movie. Is it necessary to tell the story? Why or why not? How realistic do you think it is?

Movie Details

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