“Landman,” the latest series from acclaimed creator Taylor Sheridan, features an impressive cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm, and is set against the gritty backdrop of the Texas oil industry. Following the successful formula established by Sheridan in series like “Yellowstone,” the show appears to have all the ingredients for another hit: high-profile stars, cowboy aesthetics, a focus on capitalist culture, and thrilling action sequences. However, it has received a decidedly mixed response from critics who express significant disappointment.
The show centers on Tommy Norris, played by Thornton, who is a fixer for a Texas oil company navigating deals with drug cartels and dealing with the fallout of workplace accidents. His intricate world also includes his billionaire boss Monty Miller (Hamm), his troubled offspring, and a series of archetypical characters that critics say lack depth and originality.
While some viewers may find “Landman” appealing due to Sheridan’s established style, others criticize it for being a lackluster rehash of previous works, filled with stereotypical characters and exploitative storytelling. Critics lament that instead of exploring a unique or fresh narrative, the series often resorts to tired tropes of male gaze and bland melodrama.
Interestingly, the show is based on the podcast “Boomtown,” which chronicles the complexities of the oil industry. Many argue that this rich material is squandered in the series, which fails to deliver a distinctive portrayal of its subject matter.
Despite the critiques, there is room for optimism. While “Landman” has not achieved the acclaim of Sheridan’s other works, it may still find an audience, particularly among fans of his previous series. Moreover, as viewers engage with the themes of capitalism and the oil industry’s relevance in contemporary society, there is potential for the storylines and characters to develop further as the series progresses. Only time will tell if “Landman” can ultimately redeem itself and capture the same fervor that marked Sheridan’s earlier successes.