Landman Season 2 Review: Taylor Sheridan’s Hit Drama Stumbles Despite Demi Moore’s Standout Comeback

Taylor Sheridan built a reputation for gritty storytelling and powerful character drama — but Landman Season 2 doesn’t quite strike oil this time. After a strong and surprisingly funny first season, the series returns with higher expectations and bigger names, yet somehow loses the sharp edge that made its debut so refreshing.

Season 1 Set the Bar High — But Left Room for Growth

The first season of Landman was a pleasant surprise in the Sheridan universe. With Billy Bob Thornton leading as Tommy Norris, a worn-down veteran of the Texas oil fields, the show mixed dark humor with real emotional grit. Fans loved how it tackled greed, loyalty, and family without losing its Texas charm.

Still, it wasn’t perfect. The oversexualization of Tommy’s teenage daughter, Ainsley (played by Michelle Randolph), felt unnecessary, and Ali Larter’s Angela often came off like a caricature rather than a fully realized character. Meanwhile, Demi Moore — a powerhouse talent — was barely on screen. Her role as Cami Miller felt more like window dressing than substance.

So when Season 2 was announced, viewers hoped Sheridan would polish those rough spots. On paper, things looked promising. Cami steps into power after Monty’s (Jon Hamm) death, and Ainsley graduates high school, opening new storylines for her. Unfortunately, those improvements don’t fully deliver.

Demi Moore Finally Gets the Spotlight She Deserved

Let’s start with the good news — Demi Moore absolutely owns this season. After barely appearing in Season 1, she returns with depth, power, and purpose. Her character, Cami Miller, now faces a ruthless room of bankers circling her late husband’s company like sharks. Instead of folding, she fights back with fire and control, proving she’s far more than a grieving widow.

Moore’s performance breathes life into Landman. Her mix of vulnerability and sharp intelligence reminds you why she’s Hollywood royalty. Even as the story keeps Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy in focus, Moore’s presence never fades. She’s not just surviving — she’s taking over.

But Sheridan’s Writing Trips Over Its Own Patterns

Here’s where Landman Season 2 stumbles hard. Sheridan has always written strong women — think Beth Dutton in Yellowstone — but this time, many female characters fall flat. Apart from Moore’s Cami and Kayla Wallace’s sharp and capable Rebecca, most of the women exist mainly to fuel male storylines.

Angela, played by Ali Larter, is the biggest casualty. Despite her potential for growth, her character has been dragged backward into cliché territory. Once again, she’s written as a nagging, emotionally unstable wife — and the way the show frames her disagreements with Tommy feels outdated and tone-deaf.

A dinner-table argument that devolves into a sexual reconciliation isn’t edgy storytelling anymore — it’s lazy. It undercuts her depth and reduces her to a trope. Sheridan’s script treats her frustration like irrational drama instead of human emotion, making the male characters look like the only “calm” ones. That imbalance feels dated for a show this modern.

Ainsley and Ariana Deserve Better Too

Michelle Randolph’s Ainsley has aged into more mature storylines, but they still lack emotional grounding. Meanwhile, Paulina Chavez’s Ariana — one of the few standout women from Season 1 — suffers from awkward, unexplained character shifts. Her relationship with Cooper goes through major changes that feel rushed and unrealistic, relying more on melodrama than development.

It’s frustrating, because these women could be some of the show’s most compelling voices. Instead, they’re written like background noise in the world of oil, power, and testosterone.

New Faces Bring Some Hope

Thankfully, a few new characters inject life into the mix. Sam Elliott joins as Tommy’s estranged father, and he’s easily one of the best parts of the new season. His scenes are emotional and raw, delivering the kind of grounded storytelling Landman needs more of. Watching him reflect on his past mistakes adds heart and soul to the show’s corporate chaos.

Andy Garcia also steps up this season after his cameo in the Season 1 finale. His character, Gallino, becomes a real threat — a smooth but dangerous businessman who could easily outplay Tommy. Garcia’s calm menace keeps the tension high and gives the show a real sense of danger.

Final Verdict: A Step Back, But Not a Total Collapse

Landman Season 2 isn’t a disaster, but it’s a clear step backward from its debut. The writing leans too heavily on outdated gender dynamics and recycled conflicts, losing the clever balance of humor and heart that made Season 1 stand out.

Still, the season isn’t without its wins. Demi Moore’s resurgence is easily worth watching — she elevates every scene she’s in. Sam Elliott and Andy Garcia also bring fresh energy, hinting at deeper stories to come.

If Sheridan can tighten the writing and give his female characters the same complexity as his male ones, Landman could reclaim its spot as one of his best projects yet. But for now, Season 2 feels like an uneven ride through Texas oil country — beautiful, brutal, and just a little bit lost.