Taylor Sheridan is back, folks, and this time he’s replaced cowboy boots with oil rigs. Landman takes viewers into the harsh, chaotic, and often morally ambiguous world of the Texas oil industry. Based on the Boomtown podcast, the show explores the economic boom and human drama that come with black gold.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (.3.5/5)
Verdict: Average
| Title | Landman |
| Creator | Taylor Sheridan |
| Genre | Drama, Thriller |
| Setting | Texas oil industry |
| Main Cast | Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph |
| Release Date | November 17, 2024 (United States) |
| Number of Episodes | 10 episodes |
The Plot: High Stakes in Oil Country
In true Sheridan style, Landman packs enough tension to make a pressure cooker blush. The series follows Tommy Norris, a fixer in the oil industry, as he navigates life in the boomtowns of West Texas. Between securing land rights, handling catastrophic accidents, and managing a messy personal life, Tommy has his hands full.
The stakes are as high as the oil rigs, with billion-dollar deals, cartel threats, and family drama bubbling to the surface. Add in a few explosions and some pithy one-liners, and you’ve got the recipe for a classic Sheridan hit.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
The Good
- Billy Bob Thornton’s Performance: He’s as captivating as ever, delivering zingers with panache.
- Compelling Setting: The Permian Basin’s oil boom is a rich, dramatic backdrop.
- Fast-Paced Drama: The show wastes no time getting to the action.
The Bad
- Flat Supporting Characters: Some characters feel like caricatures (looking at you, Rebecca Savage).
- Over-the-Top Moments: Ainsley’s antics might leave some viewers rolling their eyes.
The Controversial
Sheridan’s portrayal of women in Landman has sparked debates. While the strong male leads shine, the female characters often come across as one-dimensional.
| Category | Rating (Out of 10) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Story & Screenplay | 6.5/10 | Captures the gritty world of the oil industry but falters with overly familiar character archetypes. |
| Visuals & Cinematography | 7.0/10 | Stunning shots of Texas landscapes and oil fields, but some sequences feel visually repetitive. |
| Characters | 5.5/10 | Billy Bob Thornton excels as Tommy Norris, but secondary characters are underdeveloped. |
| Dialogue & Writing | 6.0/10 | Sharp one-liners and quips stand out, though the heavy-handedness in messaging might not resonate with all viewers. |
| Music & Sound Design | 5.0/10 | Background score fits the mood but lacks memorable themes or standout moments. |
| Themes & Symbolism | 7.5/10 | Explores capitalism, morality, and human relationships with depth, albeit through a dated lens. |
| Audience Engagement | 6.0/10 | Keeps viewers interested with high stakes and drama, though some may find the pacing uneven. |
| Overall Entertainment | 6.0/10 | A decent watch for fans of Taylor Sheridan’s work but feels like a Yellowstone spin-off in tone and style. |
Taylor Sheridan’s Signature Style
If you’ve seen Yellowstone, Tulsa King, or Mayor of Kingstown, you’ll recognize the hallmarks of Sheridan’s work:
- Tough, wise-cracking protagonists
- Stark moral dilemmas
- A heavy dose of Americana
Landman follows this blueprint but trades cowboys for roughnecks and ranches for oil rigs.
Positives And Negatives:
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Offers a gripping exploration of the oil industry with an authentic and raw approach. | The plot occasionally succumbs to predictable storytelling, reducing its overall impact. |
| Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of Tommy Norris is a standout performance, carrying the series. | Some supporting characters lack sufficient depth and feel sidelined in the narrative. |
| The visuals effectively capture the harsh, rugged beauty of Texas, enhancing the show’s tone. | Repetitive sequences in certain episodes detract from the series’ visual appeal. |
| Explores compelling themes such as ambition, morality, and the cost of success with boldness. | Fails to deeply probe into the emotional layers of its primary characters. |
| High-stakes drama and intense moments keep viewers engaged throughout the series. | Uneven pacing in some episodes disrupts the flow and may lose viewer interest. |
| A solid background score accentuates the tension during key moments. | The soundtrack lacks memorable or iconic tracks that linger after the credits roll. |
FAQs
Q: Where can I watch Landman?
A: It’s streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes dropping every Sunday.
Q: Is Landman based on a true story?
A: Yes, it’s inspired by the Boomtown podcast, which chronicled the Texas oil boom.