2023
1 h 25 m

2023
1 h 25 m

Summary Reeling from a devastating loss, Tana (Lily Gladstone) is pulled back into the world by an unexpected invitation to her cousin’s wedding. She packs up her late grandmother’s Cadillac and hits the open road, driving from her home in Minnesota to South Dakota. After reconnecting with her Oglala Lakota family, Tana sets off to retrace a sur...

Directed By: Morrisa Maltz

Written By: Lily Gladstone, Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing

2023
1 h 25 m

2023
1 h 25 m

The Unknown Country

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 14 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

tbd

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Directed By: Morrisa Maltz

Written By: Lily Gladstone, Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

View All

Metascore

Universal Acclaim Based on 14 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
14 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

View All

Metascore

Universal Acclaim Based on 14 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
14 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

The Playlist

Aug 1, 2023

Gladstone manages to sell every emotion, moving from despair to wonder as the journey continues.

By Christian Gallichio FULL REVIEW

IndieWire

Jul 17, 2023

While the stirring visual fluidity of “The Unknown Country,” her first fiction feature and a kindhearted triumph, provides further arguments pointing to Malick likely being an influence, what distinguishes Maltz’s approximation to that style of evocatively loose filmmaking is that it’s grounded on the personal victories of real individuals. Based on that, she forges eclectic narrative devices for a tone poem with substantial dramatic meat on its bones.

By Carlos Aguilar FULL REVIEW

RogerEbert.com

Jul 28, 2023

You don't watch the movie. You experience it through your senses.

By Sheila O'Malley FULL REVIEW

The Hollywood Reporter

Jul 28, 2023

The quiet but stirring effect is a dreamscape of eye-opening geography, existential longing and the enduring workaday.

By Sheri Linden FULL REVIEW

Austin Chronicle

Aug 3, 2023

The Unknown Country is a naturalistic exploration of America that’s hopeful of human connection in the midst of a country that sometimes feels hostile. It’s simplistic, but honest and true to Maltz and Gladstone’s optimism in the face of a place that sometimes bleeds hopelessness.

By Jenny Nulf FULL REVIEW

San Francisco Chronicle

Aug 8, 2023

A touching combination of fact and fiction makes The Unknown Country one beautiful road trip.

By Bob Strauss FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

Jul 27, 2023

The film’s gentle detours into the real-life stories remind us that it is the people met on the road that so often make the trip memorable.

By Lisa Kennedy FULL REVIEW

See All 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

View All

Production Company Cold Iron Pictures, Unpaved Rodes, Wooden Finger Studios

Release Date Jul 28, 2023

Duration 1 h 25 m

Genres

Website https://www.facebook.com/theunknowncountry/

View All Details

Awards

Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Festival

• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

Denver International Film Festival

• 1 Win & 2 Nominations

Gotham Awards

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Lily Gladstone

Tana

Raymond Lee

Isaac

Richard Ray Whitman

Grandpa August

Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux

Lainey

Devin Shangreaux

Devin

Jasmine Shangreaux

Jasmine (Jazzy)

Pam Richter

Pam

Scott Stampe

Scott

Florence R. Perrin

Flo

Teresa Boyd

Teresa

Michele Allen

Self

Illeana Angel

Self

Sabine Angel

Self

Winona Angel

Self

Alexia Boyd

Self

Joaquin Boyd

Self

Maya Boyd

Self

Tara Boyd

Self

Herb Cleveland

Wedding Officiant

Laura Colwell

Musician at Bar

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

Related Movies

Lawrence of Arabia (re-release)

Pinocchio

The Wild Bunch

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

North by Northwest

Dumbo

Spirited Away

Toy Story

Ratatouille

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALL-E

The Searchers

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Inside Out

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Stagecoach

The Wizard of Oz

The Boy and the Heron

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

King Kong

Toy Story 3

Related News

Director Roxanne Benjamin Gender-Flips Gaslighting and Parental Tropes in Horror Film 'There's Something Wrong With the Children'

Danielle Turchiano

2023 Critics Choice Awards Winners: From 'Better Call Saul' to 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'