Landman fans need to watch Superman star Rachel Brosnahan’s 2017 drama on Prime Video

Somehow, between “Lionness”, “Tulsa King” and the various “Yellowstone” spin-offsTaylor Sheridan finds time to write and produce “Landman.” The Paramount+ series has proven to be just as popular as any of Sheridan’s other shows, returning for a second season in November 2025 after a hugely successful first season. While a third batch of episodes has already been greenlit, fans wanting more oil industry-based drama might find what they’re looking for in “Boomtown,” an underseen 2017 drama starring a pre-“Superman” Rachel Brosnahan.

Not to be confused with the podcast “Boomtown,” which “Landman” is actually based on, this drama comes courtesy of director Sabyn Mayfield, who otherwise primarily directs music videos and short films. He is also the nephew of Dolly Parton and in 2021 released a music video for her song “9 to 5 to 9”, which covers Parton’s country pop hit “9 to 5”. “Boomtown” represents his first feature film and, like Mayfield’s reimagining of his aunt’s classic, focuses on good old, hard-working Americans trying to provide a stable life for their family.

Although “Landman” is full of drama, it’s also a ridiculous spectacle full of soapy twists, attractive women, all led by a typically swaggering performance from Billy Bob Thornton. “Boomtown,” however, is a much quieter affair that is much more interested in the real-life corruption involved in oil rig work and the generally tough nature of the Midwest. Fans of Brosnahan, who played Lois Lane in James Gunn’s charming, crowd-pleasing “Superman” However, she should find it interesting to see the actor in a pre-“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” role that has nothing to do with his more high-profile projects.

In “Boomtown,” Tyler Riggs plays John “JT” Turner, who leaves his family to go to Williston, North Dakota, where the booming oil industry offers an opportunity to make some quick money. The work is difficult and JT struggles with his grueling new career, all presented in lengthy sequences that seem designed to prove just how taxing real-world oil work can be. Meanwhile, JT’s father, John Turner Sr. (played by country music legend Dwight Yoakam), gives stern advice to his son, with whom he has always struggled to connect. Then there’s Rachel Brosnahan’s Jamie, a local bartender with whom JT forms a connection that threatens to undermine the very reason he’s in North Dakota in the first place.

It’s over Mailboxusers aren’t too impressed with “Boomtown.” One viewer simply wrote: “Boyd Holbrook, I wish I was your agent.” This is likely because Holbrook is in the film for less than two minutes total. But beyond that, viewers apparently had issues with the film’s pacing, which many felt was far too slow to maintain interest.

Indeed, there is no shortage of shots of sunsets punctuated by melancholy acoustic guitars, and for a film called “Boomtown”, there is a surprising lack of energy. Still, fans of modern alternative folk legend John Moreland should be happy to hear his music throughout the film, although it also accompanies mostly panning shots of Midwestern landscapes. That said, there is a certain rawness to Mayfield’s film that feels authentic in its own way. Riggs and Brosnahan – who is expected to return as Lois Lane in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Sequel – are equally believable, doing a solid job portraying two downtrodden souls for whom the American dream never really worked out.

Despite the fact that his show is based on a podcast that explores the real Texas oil industry, ‘Landman’ co-creator Christian Wallace explained why the series couldn’t be completely realistic. This is mainly because he and his co-creator, Taylor Sheridan, are trying to tell a compelling story that entertains more than it informs. That said, the show’s oil work scenes convey a certain realism, which comes from Wallace’s experiences working on real oil rigs and his work on the podcast “Boomtown.” But there’s no doubt that viewers are watching more than just actual oil rig footage.

Billy Bob Thornton’s ‘Goliath’ Legal Drama Series Is a Great Series for ‘Landman’ Fans who find star power and heightened drama to be the main attractions. Those interested in seeing a more authentic depiction of oil rig work, however, might find something to like in “Boomtown,” which spends much of its running time focusing on the specifics of JT’s job and showcasing the real-world locations in which the film takes place. Fans of Rachel Brosnahan, meanwhile, should find her fairly brief role as Jamie enjoyable, as it showcases a more restrained, naturalistic approach from the actor who has since moved on to much bigger projects.

If you’re interested, the film can be viewed on Prime Video at no additional cost to subscribers. But “Boomtown” can also be seen for free on Tubi and Pluto, both of which are quickly becoming two of the the best streaming services available.