As Martin Scorsese’s latest opus “Killers of the Flower Moon” unfolds its near 3.5-hour narrative, the film serves as a somber testament to the Osage Nation’s harrowing history.
Based on David Grann’s non-fiction tome, Scorsese delivers an epic drama seeped in the greed-fueled violence that plagued the Indigenous people of the Osage Nation in the 1920s, laying bare the devastating impacts of colonisation in stark cinematic form.
And set against the sprawling backdrop of Oklahoma where the Osage were forcibly relocated, the film begins with a promise of prosperity as oil makes the tribe the wealthiest per capita in America… but this twist of fate, however, soon turns grim as the newfound wealth becomes a catalyst for a series of brutal, calculated murders, emblematic of the era’s savage colonial opportunism.
The legend himself, Leonardo DiCaprio plays Ernest Burkhart, a man caught in the web of his uncle’s Machiavellian schemes, while Robert De Niro’s William Hale, the string-puller and so-called ‘King of Osage Hills,’ is portrayed with a chilling charm that veils his sociopathic tendencies.
The film’s pivotal narrative arc centers on these two men, illustrating how white greed co-opts and erodes Indigenous success and sovereignty.
And Lily Gladstone’s portrayal of Mollie, an Osage woman married to Ernest stands as the emotional anchor of the story, with her understated performance adding a quiet strength to the film’s heavy historical subject matter.
Moreover, her character embodies the resilience of the Osage people, even as she faces personal tragedies and the encroaching menace that threatens her community.
Scorsese’s portrayal is meticulous with Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography capturing the vast, unyielding landscapes juxtaposed with intense and intimate moments that hint at the underlying malice. And Thelma Schoonmaker’s editing knits together the sprawling narrative into a coherent, engaging thread, while Robbie Robertson’s score underscores the unfolding tragedy with a haunting presence.
However, critiques from Indigenous communities and scholars raise poignant points regarding representation.
And while the Osage Nation was consulted, the lens through which the story is told is resoundingly criticised for sidelining Osage voices in their own story… it becomes a narrative about the horrors done to the Osage rather than one that is fundamentally of the Osage.
But despite this, the film is groundbreaking in its raw depiction of a lesser-known chapter of violence against Native Americans.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” is not just a film about the past.
It resonates with a contemporary urgency and challenges viewers to reflect on the insidious nature of colonisation and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and representation. It also confronts the audience with the stark reality of how America’s growth has often been fertilised by the blood and exploitation of its Indigenous peoples.
So as it stands, “Killers of the Flower Moon” may struggle to draw massive crowds like lighter fare, yet its significance cannot be overstated…
Because through the lens of the Osage tragedy, Scorsese asks us to reckon with the wolves of our collective history. And the question the film poses is not only about acknowledging these wolves but also about understanding our place in a legacy of silence and complicity.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” is a solemn and reflective piece of historical cinema, a requiem for the lives lost to the voracious appetite of greed and an indictment of the colonialist ethos that remains embedded in the American psyche.
It’s a film that demands to be seen, not only for its cinematic craft but for its unflinching gaze into the abyss of America’s darkest chapters… and ongoing colonisation of Native Americans.
Streaming on Apple TV+:
- Date: The movie will be available to stream on Apple TV+ following its theatrical run. The exact date has not been specified, so fans should keep an eye out for announcements.
In Theaters:
- Release Date: The film premiered in theaters in October 2023.
- Location: It will likely be available in major cinema chains across the country, as well as independent theaters. Check local listings for showtimes and ticket availability.
