Killers of the Flower Moon

Released October 20, 2023 (Coming soon to AppleTV+)

Directed by Martin Scorcese

Based on the book by David Grann

* No Spoilers *

Martin Scorsese is the master of modern American folklore. Few directors can tell cautionary tales based on true stories with his level of dedication and detail. He loves show a character delve into a dangerous and harrowing world, revealing their flaws and keeping the audience hooked into their perspective. Anyone familiar with his work will see this trend, from Henry Hill in Goodfellas to Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. Killers of the Flower Moon follows suit telling the true story of Oklahoma’s Indigenous Osage Nation and a series of murders targeting their community.

The film is an adaptation of the 2017 non-fiction book of the same name written by journalist David Grann. After discovering oil on their ancestral land the Osage nation and its core families benefited from an economic boom. Attracting the greed of those seeking to exploit this new found wealth in the most sinister way.

Despite the name, this is not a horror movie, though it has no shortage of monsters. Murder and killing are not the most egregious and condemnable crimes committed. Characters will pass pleasantries with their so called friends and moments later plot to exploit and use them. The film perfectly captures the type of evil that smiles in your face and then stabs you in the back. There is violence and it is brutal, but Scorcese has the sense to show it sparingly. What is more frightening is the way characters carry out their plans with such little regard for the humanity of others. This is also a powerful depiction of the banality of evil and how going with the flow and not questioning ones actions can lead those who are heedless to ruin. Just as Ancient Greek myth will focus on a character’s fatal flaw, Scorsese’s adaptation is a solemn and harrowing portrayal of how people succumb to their own complacent depravity. KIllers of the Flower Moon isn’t a light movie for the sake of entertainment, it is heavy and thought provoking, so be prepared to feel emotionally drained. It’s powerful and devastating but a story that needs to be told.

I was captivated, mesmerized, and fully at attention despite the 3 hour and 28 minute runtime. This was longer than the Irishman but at no point was I disengaged or bored. Long runtimes can be problematic when they don’t use that time well, but Killers of the Flower Moon uses every moment to its full effect. Each scene is enriching character while pushing the plot forward. It’s incredibly efficient, which seems odd to say for a movie this long. You can eventually see this at home, as it’s an AppleTV+ original, so if do you skip the theatre, I would urge you to do this in one sitting. Watching it over the course of a few days would not do it justice and you would lose the momentum that this film so expertly crafts.

The film has its share of powerful and climactic moments but it is largely focused on dialogue. Conversations are full of subtext. Characters are saying one thing but because of the context we know the deeper implications of the words.

Scorcese has consistently cast Robert De Niro (Taxi Driver, Casino) and Leonardo Dicaprio (Gangs of New York, Wolf of Wall Street) as his leads but despite numerous collaborations the two have never been cast in a Scorcese film together. It’s a shame it took this long because seeing them play off each other under his direction was phenomenal.

Leonardo Di Caprio plays Ernest Burkhart, our sluggish, grimy, and dimwitted lead. He is a repulsive simpleton but not just because of the false teeth and greasy middle parted hair. Ernest lacks the charismatic intensity we are used to seeing from Leo. This is clear right from the opening scene, where he is obnoxiously snickering about his taste in women. I am sure audiences will be split about whether he is pathetic or contemptible but all should agree that it is a stellar performance. There are some intense emotional scenes that demand a mix of subtly and drama and Leo captures it so well.

Aging actors sometimes hang on to their old archetypes and lean into safety rather than expanding their repertoire. De Niro breaks this trend and his performance as William “King” Hale is distinct and fresh. Hale is Ernest’s uncle and an influential businessman with seemingly good relations with the Osage people. Embodying an infectious, devilish, and folksy charm. He sees himself as a bridge builder who has earned the people’s trust, maintaining a facade that rarely breaks. It’s an incredibly complex performance that really showcases De Niro’s talents. This might be one of his best performances in recent memory.

The film’s stand out actor is Lily Gladstone (Reservation Dogs) who plays Mollie, a member of the Osage who’s family is at the centre of the tragedies in the community. It is understatement to say her performance is nuanced. It’s honestly rare to see a character that is this relatable, subtle, and full of emotional complexity in every single scene. So much is done without saying a word and from early on she is giving the slightest smirks or gestures that the audience can instantly identify with. She simultaneously embodies vulnerability and sympathy but also drive and resolve. I can’t wait to see her career take off after this because she definitely deserves the recognition and opportunity.

The musical score is full of atmospheric and brooding guitar riffs combined with heavy percussion inspired by the traditional drums of the Osage. It is menacing and meandering but also filled with a persistent pulsating intensity. Keeping the momentum of this lengthy epic moving and locking me into the setting without feeling dated.

The visuals are stunning. The cinematography is not flashily drawing attention to itself but it services the mood and story so well. Camera movements and shots are set up to deliberately frame characters in shadow or light based on their moral alignment. There is one sequence where people are backlight by a blazing fire, all you see are silhouettes with a hazy blur burning into the screen as the flames blaze with rage. I don’t actually recall how long it lasted but I was entranced, and I am still confused with how the effect was created. The production design was so good that I felt transported to the time period. I am sure there was a decent amount of set building and visual effects but at no point did I question that this was shot on location.

Scorcese is a master filmmaker and has perfected bringing American folklore to film. Though he often tackles crime dramas this is a dive into the evils of modern settler colonialism, treading new ground for the director. While fresh and unique it remains familiar to his body of work. Killers of the Flower Moon is about settlers, told by someone of a settler background, it is not a story from the Osage people, but that doesn’t mean it is inherently bad or not Scorcese’s story to tell. While attempting to respect the indigenous perspective it does not genuinely offer it to the audience, and it would be unfair to expect it to do so. It’s made me curious to seek out Osage sources about these events and I hope it does the same for others.

9/10 - A brilliant piece of cinema and a powerful story told with the utmost care. The acting is phenomenal and I was gripped from start to finish, despite it’s length and heavy subject matter. Don’t be surprised to see this nominated for awards in nearly every category. One of the best of the year.

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