Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nashville-set mystery has violence, language, and sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Heartland
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In HEARTLAND, country music legend Misty Jones (Jessica Chastain) has retired in isolation on a pecan farm when her brother asks for her help in tracking down his missing daughter. Charlie (Carter Faith), a rising star following in her aunt's footsteps, has not been seen or heard from in days. Misty has no interest in going back to Nashville—she turned her back on that world when it labeled and cancelled her—but she feels responsible for Charlie despite the chip on her shoulder. What she'll find when she gets back to Nashville is a host of characters with as much to hide—and lose—as she has, and a not-particularly-helpful police force. Charlie was shaped, managed, promoted, and pursued by a bunch of self-interested figures, including boyfriend Jace (Ross Lynch), record label owner Roy (Garrett Hedlund), and an elusive stalker.
Is It Any Good?
Chastain brings grit to her leading role in this Nashville-set noir mystery from the writer-director of Country Strong. Heartland has feminist messages to match its strong female lead—about motherhood, men in power, and the gendered treatment of professional artists. The film crafts a murky version of Nashville, where characters hide their secrets in dark bars, lonely country roads, and neon-lit alleyways. The momentum is occasionally weighed down by overly-explanatory dialogue and Chastain's exaggeratedly tough demeanor. The soundtrack lacks a memorable hit, though Chastain holds her own in the performance scenes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the twists in the story of Heartland. Which did you see coming, and which took you by surprise? How do plot twists keep a mystery like this one interesting?
The film takes place largely at night and in dark interiors. What mood does that set? What visual moments were most memorable for you?
What other films or series have you watched that are set against the world of country music? How does this film differ in its portrayal?
The writer-director calls her film "neo-noir." What is noir cinema? Where could you find more information?
How was Misty portrayed? Was she a positive character? Why or why not? Why is it important to see nuanced representations of women on screen?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 13, 2026
- Cast : Jessica Chastain , Garrett Hedlund , Carter Faith
- Director : Shana Feste
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms )
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some violence, and brief sexual content
- Last updated : November 13, 2026
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