“Killers of the­ Flower Moon” Review

Completely influenced by David Grann’s 2017 non-fiction publication, “Killers of the­ Flower Moon” is a 2023 large western criminal drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie, situated in 1920s Oklahoma, centers around a succession of Osage tribe’s individual killings that happened after oil is found on their domain.

Heading the cast are Leonardo DiCaprio De Niro, and Lily Gladstone. Development began in 2016, due to the COVID-19 pandemic production delayed. Around $200 million was spent on filming, which took place in Oklahoma. The story centers on World War I veteran Ernest Burkhart, who became suspicious of a plot to kill rich Osage tribe members in order to obtain their oil wealth.

Ernest took part in those murders in order to seize additional fortune, under the direction of his uncle William King Hale. The Osage network grew suspicious as the killings increased, leading to a Bureau of probe. The truth about the killings was revealed despite corruption and other challenges, which resulted in Ernest and Hale’s imprisonment.

The movie won praise for its direction, writing, high production quality, and well-crafted performances—particularly those of Gladstone, DiCaprio, and De Niro. Its lengthy runtime did, however, draw some criticism. 10 Academy Awards were among the many honors it was nominated for, including Best Film from the National Board of Review. Golden Globe Award winner Gladstone won for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart.

The film’s central theme was the Osage network’s attitude, particularly the relationship between Ernest and Mollie. Scorsese and screenwriter Eric Roth had originally struggled to identify this theme. Accuracy and authenticity in the portrayal of Osage culture and history were guaranteed by their cooperation in the production.

Visual effects for this film were handled by Industrial Light & Magic, and Robbie Robertson composed the music. “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the opening film for the well-known Cannes Film Festival and part of a worldwide theatrical run, was the latest work by director Martin Scorsese. 

Although the film’s revenue from overseas box office grossed $157M and ranked as the 5th globally in 2007 is a remarkable achievement, it is still not enough profit for the film because of its unreasonably high budget. The movie mirrors the connection between the United States and Native Americans and advises the audience on the issues that continuously redefine the past as well as the present Native American welfare. A minority of critics, however, believed that Mollie’s story was overshadowed by a single point of view and that the film was intended to be Ernest and Hale’s solely.

Critics applauded the film’s overall cinematic themes for their complex narrative, powerful performances, and eye-catching images that paint a tragic picture of a period in American history.

Cast of “Killers of the­ Flower Moon”

1. Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart
2. Robert De Niro as William Hale
3. Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart
4. Jesse Plemons as Tom White
5. Tantoo Cardinal as Lizzie Q
6. John Lithgow as Prosecutor Peter Leaward
7. Brendan Fraser as W.S. Hamilton
8. Cara Jade Myers as Anna
9. Janae Collins as Reta
10. Jillian Dion as Minnie
11. Jason Isbell as Bill Smith
12. William Belleau as Henry Roan
13. Louis Cancelmi as Kelsie Morrison
14. Scott Shepherd as Byron Burkhart
15. Everett Waller as Paul Red Eagle
16. Talee Redcorn as Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga / Traditional Leader
17. Yancey Red Corn as Chief Bonnicastle
18. Tatanka Means as John Wren
19. Tommy Schultz as Blackie Thompson
20. Sturgill Simpson as Henry Grammer
21. Ty Mitchell as John Ramsey
22. Gary Basaraba as Detective Burns
23. Charlie Musselwhite as Alvin Reynolds
24. Pat Healy as Agent John Burger
25. Steve Witting as Dr. James Shoun
26. Steve Routman as Dr. David Shoun
27. Gene Jones as Pitts Beaty
28. Michael Abbott Jr. as Agent Frank Smith
29. J.C. MacKenzie as Radio Announcer
30. Jack White as Radio Show Actor
31. Larry Sellers as Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga
32. Barry Corbin as Undertaker Turton
33. Gabriel Casdorph as Joe Jones
34. Samuel French as Agent CJ Robinson
35. Wally Welch as Bob Mount
36. James Roman Dailey Jr. as Baby Namer
37. Christopher Cote as Baby Namer (for Anna)
38. Randy Houser as Scott Mathis
39. Moe Headrick as Sheriff Freas
40. Pete Yorn as Acie Kirby
41. Margaret Shannon-Sisk as Wife of Pipe Keeper / Wailing Relative
42. Moira Redcorn as Prologue Wailer

with  uncredited roles as well.