"provides an extremely satisfying end and brings to light a story that has been ignored for far too long"

Latest anticipated feature from Apple TV, Killers of the flower moon is Scorsese newest production on one of America’s often ignored pieces of history. 

Adapted from the non-fiction book “Killers of the Flower Moon and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann, the film is set in Osage County in Oklahoma, where between 1921 and 1926 a series of murders took place without being investigated and more than sixty wealthy full-blood Osage Indians were killed. 

This movie had been many years in the making. Rights to the book were acquired back in 2017, but production was delayed until 2021. However, this is a project Scorsese really believed in for its particular unmistakable portrayal of the deep cultural differences between Indian tribes and European culture and the way in which humans respond to their most basic instinct when facing the chance to become wealthy. And what best way to do so then by using real events involving the persecution and abuse suffered by Native Americans by White conquerors.

Killers of the Flower Moon can be easily considered a masterclass in movie making, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise when the director is Scorsese. The film has a slow burn and the extraordinary three hours and twenty-six minutes runtime of it can be felt halfway through. However, it is necessary to give a complete view of the facts and the intricacy of the relationship among each character. 

Although events are clearly explained and the story is fully developed to be easily followed, it is quite difficult to understand the actual passing of time since each sequence moves slowly to give more space to the plot to unfold. Luckily the last 50 minutes of the film make it all worth it in the end and the audience is given the chance to see justice unfold and the bad guys being punished

It feels redundant to mention the performances from Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, they have become such staples in Scorsese’s work that it doesn’t come as much of a surprise when they once again exceed any expectations with their performances. 

Lily Gladstone is phenomenal as Molly. Her character is pivotal to the story and becomes a narrator of sorts. Her posture is solemn and her body language evolves throughout the story along with the arch of Molly’s life. Gladstone brings on the screen an honest and heartfelt performance and is capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the two main actors.

The entire cast ensemble, with some of the most talented guest stars, just gives justice to the historical figures they portray with incredible honesty.

One thing that is clear in Killers of the Flower Moon is the desire to show human nature at its finest. The film has enough time to describe the cultural differences among the Osage tribe and the White people living among them.

On one hand you have a tribe that knows how much wealth they were granted by settling on a natural oil reserve. None of them are filled with greed. Their traditions are still what fills their everyday life. Spirituality is still at the forefront as well as family. They just happened to settle on a rich land that provided for them. 

Meanwhile, all the Western European migrants who moved in search of wealth and money are motivated to blend with the tribe just for their connection to the black gold. To use the tribe for their needs and exploit them. 

All they seek is money and a comfortable life. Blending their life with the Osage tribe is not enough anymore to satiate their thirst for opulence. They would do everything to rip from the Osage their rights to their land and oil, even if that means killing their wives and family to inherit by law their belongings.

What is cleverly analysed as well as highlighted is the complete absence of remorse in men like William Hale and Ernest Bukhart. To them Indian lives lost are a necessary evil to get to their ultimate goal of getting what they deserve. Killing people just becomes a means to an end, even if that means murdering family members. 

And it is precisely their greediness that makes them underestimate the Osages and their bond with their own blood and land, which ultimately uncovers the truth and brings the responsible people to justice.

Although it feels like at times the film is losing its own message, Killers of the Flower Moon provides an extremely satisfying end and brings to light a story that has been ignored for far too long.