Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.Eastern PromisesA movie brief.
2007 / crime thriller / Directed by David Cronenberg
Loyalty is a luxury no one can afford.
What is Eastern Promises about?
A Russian-British midwife gets entangled in a dangerous world of Russian Mafia in London. She tries to protect a baby girl whose mother, a teenage prostitute, has died in childbirth.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is set in London and revolves around a Russian-British midwife, Anna Khitrova, who works at Trafalgar Hospital.
World
The film explores the dark world of Russian Mafia in London, showcasing their brutal and violent ways.
Pressure
Anna is pressured by Semyon, the leader of the Mafia, and his men to hand over a diary that could put her and others in danger.
Craft
The film features a graphically violent fight scene in a steam bath, showcasing the intense and realistic violence.
Viewing Note
The film is not for the faint of heart, as it contains graphic violence, nudity, and mature themes.
A thought to take with you.
Anna's effort to protect a baby brings her into contact with a criminal organization that depends on secrecy and performed identity. Nikolai's role inside that world makes the question of trust especially difficult, since visible loyalty may conceal another purpose.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a London-set crime thriller involving the Russian mafia and an investigation by a midwife. It contains graphic violence and mature themes.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 3, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach