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The Land of Steady Habits

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for The Land of Steady Habits 2018 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Feeling trapped in the stifling, wealthy enclave of Westport, Conn., a man retires from his job in finance and leaves his wife in the hopes that it will renew his lust for life. He befriends a drug-addicted teen, sending him down a path of reckless, regrettable behavior. His shameful actions cause him to question who he is as a father and, ultimately, who he is as a person.
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The Land of Steady Habits

The Land of Steady Habits

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Critics Consensus

With typically sharp work from writer-director Nicole Holofcener and finely layered performances, The Land of Steady Habits is one mid-life crisis worth watching.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton The Australian Mar 28, 2020
The film is smart, intelligent and one of the best from this always interesting director. Go to Full Review Pamela Hutchinson Sight & Sound Jan 2, 2019
It's Holofcener's first film for Netflix, which may be ruthlessly fitting given its attack on staid domestic archetypes and middle-class mores. Go to Full Review David Edelstein New York Magazine/Vulture Sep 18, 2018
A great actor when his motor is running fast, Mendelsohn is surprisingly attractive at slower speeds and better when Holofcener makes him twist. Go to Full Review Daniel Howat Next Best Picture May 19, 2022
7/10
This makes for a sad but effective film, with unfortunate characters who want to be whole again but have no clue how to get there. Go to Full Review Matthew St. Clair Cinema Sentries Oct 5, 2020
Thanks to its humanistic acting and carefully constructed writing, The Land Of Steady Habits is a poignant depiction of a man trying to find a new lease. Go to Full Review Matt Cipolla Film Monthly Jul 25, 2020
3/5
[A]side from its technical fluency and a typically effortless performance from Ben Mendelsohn, this self-pity party feels a decade too late. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Susan S @Suzy2 Dec 31, 2025 This film was a tragic comedy of a mid-life crisis that took turns being banal and fascinating. The acting was excellent and each character lived. The setting of affluent angst was spot on. The main character, Anders, was finding himself and losing those around him, and made one wonder just where his self-revelations were leading. The universal theme of searching for meaning and positing purpose in an every-changing world where everything is replaceable - even human lives - resonates through the superficial materialism and consumerism and Deja Vu of cyclical experience. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug Jan 3, 2025 While I usually don't like movies like this - family dramas that don't really go anywhere - I actually liked this one. It has relatable characters and moments of genuine humor See more Vanesa C @Vanesa538 Sep 15, 2024 I totally loved that movie and find it worthwhile watching it! See more Knoe F @RT99423865 Jul 12, 2024 Excellent, nuanced film with great acting, writing and direction! Wish there were more of this quality. See more Dave V @MBgolfee Jun 4, 2024 It is a dark film, but very well done. A midlife crisis turns into a web of lives being affected. It is very realistic and helps people grasp and understand the emotional roller coaster when one experiences this phase of life. When one looks at their life and begins to wonder what it is all about. I enjoyed it. See more Gary K @RT48540040 Feb 3, 2024 Relentlessly bleak. Not really poignant and the characters don't show much growth or find a path forward in life. See more Read all reviews
The Land of Steady Habits

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Cast & Crew

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Nicole Holofcener

Director

Ben Mendelsohn

Anders Hill

Edie Falco

Helene

Thomas Mann

Preston

Charlie Tahan

Charlie

Connie Britton

Barbara

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The Land of Steady Habits

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The Land of Steady Habits

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Movie Info

Synopsis Feeling trapped in the stifling, wealthy enclave of Westport, Conn., a man retires from his job in finance and leaves his wife in the hopes that it will renew his lust for life. He befriends a drug-addicted teen, sending him down a path of reckless, regrettable behavior. His shameful actions cause him to question who he is as a father and, ultimately, who he is as a person.
Director
Nicole Holofcener
Producer
Stefanie Azpiazu, Anthony Bregman
Screenwriter
Nicole Holofcener
Distributor
Netflix
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 14, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 14, 2018
Runtime
1h 38m
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