Name: Killers of the Flower Moon
Genre: Crime, History, Drama
Released: 2023-10-18T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal

The ceremonial pipe buried by Osage elders in the opening frames of Killers of the Flower Moon sets a mournful tone that never lifts. Martin Scorsese’s sprawling epic about the systematic murder of Osage Nation members in 1920s Oklahoma is a film of grand ambitions and grim inevitability, where the beauty of the landscape contrasts sharply with the ugliness of human greed.

Scorsese and co-writer Eric Roth adapt David Grann’s nonfiction book with a meticulous eye for historical detail. The cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto bathes the Oklahoma plains in golden light, making the oil gushing from the ground seem like a cursed blessing. The film’s first hour is its strongest, establishing the Osage community’s newfound wealth and the insidious role of white guardianship laws that strip them of autonomy. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Ernest Burkhart is a weak-willed cipher, easily manipulated by his uncle William Hale (a scene-stealing Robert De Niro), whose charm masks a calculating ruthlessness.

Lily Gladstone delivers a career-best performance as Mollie Burkhart, Ernest’s Osage wife. Her quiet dignity and growing suspicion anchor the film, making her eventual realization of the truth heartbreaking. Gladstone’s portrayal is nuanced, capturing Mollie’s resilience in the face of unimaginable betrayal. Jesse Plemons is equally compelling as FBI agent Tom White, a rare moral compass in a story awash with corruption. His measured performance brings a sense of justice to the narrative, even as the film’s historical context underscores the inadequacy of the response to these crimes.

The supporting cast, including Tantoo Cardinal as Mollie’s mother Lizzie Q and Brendan Fraser as W.S. Hamilton, adds depth to the Osage community, making their fates all the more tragic. Cardinal’s performance is particularly noteworthy, imbuing Lizzie with a strength and wisdom that make her loss deeply felt. Fraser, in one of his first major roles since his career resurgence, brings a quiet intensity to Hamilton, a man caught between his loyalty to Hale and his conscience.

Yet for all its strengths, Killers of the Flower Moon stumbles under the weight of its own length. At nearly three hours, the film feels bloated in its second act, with subplots and scenes that meander without adding meaningful momentum. The pacing drags, particularly in the middle stretch, where the tension dissipates rather than builds. Scorsese’s signature style—long takes, intricate compositions—sometimes serves the story well, but other times feels indulgent. For instance, a lengthy sequence involving a horse race, while visually stunning, does little to advance the narrative or deepen our understanding of the characters.

The film’s historical weight is undeniable, and its themes of racial discrimination and exploitation are timely. However, the narrative structure occasionally feels disjointed, as if the film can’t decide whether it wants to be a character study, a crime drama, or a historical epic. The whodunit element, while compelling, takes too long to resolve, and the emotional payoff is muted by the film’s clinical detachment. This is particularly evident in the film’s conclusion, which, while historically accurate, lacks the catharsis one might hope for.

Killers of the Flower Moon is a visually stunning and thematically resonant film, but it’s one that demands patience from its viewers. Gladstone’s performance and De Niro’s sinister charm are highlights, as are Prieto’s cinematography and Robbie Robertson’s evocative score (a poignant tribute to the late composer). The film’s exploration of a dark chapter in American history is both necessary and powerful, even if its execution is flawed.

The film’s length and pacing issues make it a challenging watch at times, but its strengths are undeniable. Gladstone’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, and the film’s historical significance cannot be overstated. However, those looking for a tightly plotted crime drama or a character study with clear emotional arcs may find themselves disappointed.

Killers of the Flower Moon is a film for history buffs, fans of Scorsese’s work, and anyone interested in the complexities of American identity and justice.