Mads Mikkelsen’s 97% Historical Epic Takes Down Henry Cavill’s Sleeper Hit on Global Streaming Charts

Mads Mikkelsen will always be known for his roles in Doctor Strange and Rogue One, but a more recent film from the star that garnered acclaim has continued a run of impressive streaming success. Mikkelsen stars alongside Amanda Collin and Simon Bennebjerg in The Promised Land, formerly titled Bastarden, the historical epic telling the story of Ludvig Kahlen, a Danish explorer who cultivated Denmark’s wild Jutland. The Promised Land is streaming on Paramount+ globally, where it’s been clashing with Tom Cruise for weeks, and now the film has even beaten the latest sleeper hit from Henry Cavill, Night Hunter. The Promised Land only grossed $2 million at the box office, but it earned a “certified fresh” 97% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a 95% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter.

The Promised Land is also streaming on Hulu in America, with no plans to leave anytime soon. The film can also be rented or purchased on Prime Video for less than $3 for those without a Hulu subscription. Nikolaj Arcel both wrote and directed The Promised Land, which is based on the novel by Ida Jessen. Anders Thomas Jensen also contributed to the script. Arcel also worked with Mikkelsen a few years earlier on Riders of Justice, an action film currently streaming for free on Tubi and Prime Video. He even penned the screenplay for the maligned Stephen King adaptation of The Dark Tower, which recruited A-listers Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey to star. Arcel is also famous for his work on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Daniel Craig), A Royal Affair (Alicia Vikander), and Journal 64 (Fares Fares).