Prolific horror author Stephen King shares his candid reaction to Taylor Sheridan’s latest TV show,Landman. The 2024 Western drama stars Billy Bob Thornton as “landman” Tommy Norris, a crisis management executive for an oil company called M-Tex. As myriad characters come to West Texas to exploit its recent oil boom, the drama unfolds into a gritty exploration of power, ethics, and the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.Landmanhas continuedSheridan’s streak of neo-Western works on Paramount+with another star-studded cast featuring Jon Hamm, Demi Moore, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, and Jacob Lofland.
In a post shared on Threads,Kingconveyed his pleasantly surprised reaction toLandman, acknowledging its masculine slant, perhaps to a fault, while praising Sheridan’s ability to portray “ordinary men at work.” Simultaneously, King compliments the unstoppable Western writer, producer, and director for his compelling narratives about everyday men trying to save their land, their kids, or their job while pointing to a broader issue of his filmography: its androcentric perspective. Read the full reaction below:
What Stephen King’s Praise For Landman Means
Will King’s Praise Be Enough For A Renewal?
With the first season ending on an explosive cliffhanger, speculation aboutLandmanseason 2has reached a fever pitch. Paramount+ has yet to confirm a renewal, butSheridan’s latest series has all the hallmarks of a franchise-worthy hit.Landmancurrently boasts a 76% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with Thornton’s performance as the disgruntled yet hard-working Tommy being lauded by critics and fans alike. Thornton’s balance of ruthless pragmatism and flashes of vulnerability as he wrangles endless problems earned the actor a Golden Globe nomination this year.
9 Things Landman’s Season 1 Finale Sets Up For Season 2 Of Taylor Sheridan’s Show
Landman’s season 1 finale offered a climactic finish for several narratives while also setting up story elements for season 2 and beyond.
Nonetheless, King’s feedback also draws attention to a recurring element in Sheridan’s filmography—its predominant focus on the “macho-macho man.“Save for the espionage seriesLioness,his work mainly features the journey of a leading man. Yet, one ofSheridan’s purportedYellowstonespinoffshas the opportunity to add another perspective to his sprawling neo-Western universe: a continuation of Beth Dutton and Rip’s story. The potential to center a narrative around Beth, one of Sheridan’s most dynamic and complex female characters, could provide a refreshing counterbalance to the male-dominated themes of his work.
Our Take On King’s Honest Review For Landman
Sheridan’s Neo-Westerns Still Have Bite
King’s candid praise highlights Sheridan’s unmatched ability to tell gripping, character-driven stories that resonate beyond the neo-Western genre. WhileLandmanleans into Sheridan’s trademark exploration of rugged masculinity, and most of his explosive drama is far from ordinary, it nonetheless shows his talent for portraying the grit of Western life with compelling authenticity. AsLandmanawaits renewal,Sheridan has a chance to broaden his storytelling scope, and a potentialBeth Dutton-focused spinoffcould bring forth something that doesn’t make King hate himself.
Stephen King has previously praisedMayor of Kingstown, another series developed by Sheridan.
Sheridan has already proven he can create engaging series with female leads through thecast ofLioness, starring Zoe Saldaña as CIA handler Joe McNamara and Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, her supervisor. Despite some disturbing scenes and female characters being put into deadly scenarios, the show focuses mostly on the lead character’s difficulty in her job, which takes a mental toll on her throughout the show. Breaking away from the creator’s typical male-driven stories,the espionage thriller offers a unique story within his Paramount+ catalog.
Landman Season 1, Episode 10 Review: I’m Worried About Tommy After The Intense Finale Sets Up A Precarious Season 2 Future
Landman season 1, episode 10 delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Paramount+ series, as Taylor Sheridan leaves the door open for more.
Landman’s controversy over Ainsley’s (Randolph) portrayalis another issue that’s cropped up for critics, given her overt sexualization throughout the series. While Randolph herself is 27, her character is supposed to be 17, making her appearance discomforting across multiple cringe-worthy scenarios. Although it’s often played for laughs, and she has other moments that better delve into her character, the show’s insistence on these scenes can alienate viewers uncomfortable with their portrayal. This further reflects howSheridan can learn from the show and create a different series with more empowerment for its female leads.
King’s Review Still Bodes Well For The Future Of Taylor Sheridan’s TV Shows
Sheridan Has A Plethora Of Series In Development
The number of series…offer ample opportunity for potential perspectives beyond the “macho-macho man.”
Although Sheridan’s shows could use stronger female perspectives to balance out their male focuses,King’s praise bodes well not just forLandman, but all the series he has in development. This includesMayor of Kingstownseason 4, which was officially renewed by Paramount+, andTulsa Kingseasons 3 and 4, which are in development. HisYellowstonefranchise is also continuing beyond Beth’s spinoff, with1923season 2airing February 23, andThe Madison, also expected later this year. The number of series also offer ample opportunity for potential perspectives beyond the “macho-macho man.”
If King’s review can be helpful in howLandmandevelops going forward, Sheridan could alter its focus to showcase female characters in a stronger light. However, Beth’sYellowstonespinoff, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer’s leading role inThe Madison, can bolster his catalog of stories told from feminine perspectives. Perhaps these series can get more comfortable praise from the horror author, offering premises that are centered around more than masculine viewpoints.
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Set in West Texas, this series explores the world of oil rigs and the fortunes they create. It portrays a modern upstairs/downstairs narrative of roughnecks and billionaires, highlighting the profound impact on the climate, economy, and geopolitics in these boomtowns.
