Landman Season 1 Review: This slow-burn drama dives deep into Texas oil, family tensions, and ruthless power plays

Time of India

21-05-2025

Story: Set against the backdrop of West Texas oilfields, this drama follows general manager Tommy Norris as he confronts cartel threats, cutthroat land deals, and corporate corruption.
Review: 'Landman' is an engaging drama that manages to keep you engaged despite its long episodes. Spread over ten parts, the series stands out by choosing a unique setting—the oilfields of West Texas—something rarely explored in a series. With Taylor Sheridan as showrunner, the series delivers on atmosphere, aided by impressive cinematography and strong performances. The show focuses on the personal and professional life of Tommy Norris, a general manager at a Texas-based oil company, and dives deep into the consequences of oil exploration. It also peels back the curtain on how oil executives manoeuvre behind the scenes to get what they want. While the story stumbles occasionally—particularly with its pacing—it manages to find its rhythm, especially thanks to a brilliant performance by Billy Bob Thornton.
The plot revolves around Tommy Norris, played with effortless authority by Billy Bob Thornton. Tommy oversees operations at an oil drilling site in the Permian Basin, living on-site in a guest house shared with Nathan (Colm Feore), the company's legal advisor, and Dale (James Jordan), a petroleum engineer. When a plane belonging to their company is hijacked by a Mexican cartel trying to transport cocaine, it collides with a tanker—setting off a series of chaotic events. A high-profile lawyer, Rebecca (Kayla Wallace) is brought in to manage the fallout. Meanwhile, Tommy's son Cooper (Jacob Lofland), a petroleum engineering dropout, joins the company to gain field experience. Things become even more complicated when Tommy's ex-wife Angela (Ali Larter) and their daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) arrive in Midland, stirring up emotional and personal tensions for everyone living under one roof.
Based on a podcast and inspired by true events, the series explores the price of ambition in today's America. 'Landman' truly shines in capturing its setting. The dusty oilfields, the heat, the isolation, and the tension of living on site—all contribute to an atmosphere that feels both fresh and authentic. The pacing is slow but purposeful, rarely becoming a hurdle for the viewer. It offers a dramatized yet intriguing look into the oil business, highlighting both the high stakes and the moral grey zones. However, some subplots are a distraction. Angela and Ainsley's side story—where they befriend residents of an old-age home and take them on a bizarre outing to a strip club—feels unnecessary. The show also leans into over-sexualizing both characters, a choice that doesn't add anything meaningful to the core plot.
Yet, the series is full of sharp writing. Billy Bob Thornton delivers one-liners with wit and swagger, and his screen presence grounds the entire show. Nathan's sarcastic dialogue, particularly in scenes involving Ainsley and her odd behaviour—like applying coconut oil fetched from the kitchen while wearing a bikini—provides moments of genuine humour. Thornton's performance stands out as the key reason to watch the series. He brings a weathered charm to Tommy, a man juggling threats from drug cartels, oil rig mishaps, a demanding boss, and his own complicated family life. Ali Larter gives a surprisingly warm performance as Angela, a woman who might be seen as a golddigger but ultimately brings heart to the story. Her chemistry with Thornton makes for some of the show's best scenes. Jon Hamm fits smoothly into the role of Monty Miller, the slick oil magnate. The biggest disappointment, however, is Demi Moore. Her role feels insignificant and underwritten, and her absence would not have affected the story.
'Landman' could have been tighter—trimming a few episodes would've made the series sharper. Some moments feel stretched or tonally off, particularly the family drama elements. Still, the show follows Sheridan's familiar template of a rugged male lead navigating chaos. It may not be groundbreaking, but the world it explores is rich and different enough to hold your attention. If you're willing to overlook its detours, 'Landman' delivers a gritty, character-driven story, anchored by a standout performance from Thornton and a rarely seen view into America's oil frontier.