We're closing out 2024 for the Watchcast the only way we know how: with the most depressing movie we can fit into a theme. And this year it's with David Cronenberg's captivating Eastern Promises, featuring Viggo Mortensen like you've never seen him before.



CHAPTERS:



(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 118: Eastern Promises (2007)

(00:00:35) - Intro.

(00:01:42) - Viggo appreciation right out of the gate.

(00:03:23) - Our last movie of 2024: David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises!

(00:07:20) - On the merits of putting on the accent.

(00:13:31) - A little bit of background on the movie and its accuracy.

(00:18:35) - Launching into the film, and its brutal opening.

(00:22:28) - The baby enters the picture.

(00:26:50) - Our first trip to Semyon's restaurant.

(00:31:12) - Some discussion about Nikolai's true nature, and some of the family dynamics at play.

(00:44:55) - The closest thing this movie has to a funny moment.

(00:49:40) - Break!

(00:50:02) - We're back, and things are developing.

(00:55:00) - There are dens of iniquity, and then there's this place.

(00:57:23) - Semyon comes calling.

(01:04:34) - The pretense of a deal.

(01:07:42) - Tying up loose ends.

(01:13:50) - Anna has had enough, and Nikolai and Kiril hash it out.

(01:19:39) - The set-up.

(01:23:06) - The bathhouse.

(01:29:32) - Nikolai's reveal.

(01:34:56) - A subtler ending than you might expect.

(01:40:48) - The sequel that never came together.

(01:43:27) - Final thoughts.

(01:44:54) - Our theme for January: Jude Law sci-fi!

(01:49:03) - Outro.