Killers of the Flower Moon
Directed by Martin Scorcese
★★★★
Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio in “Killers of the Flower Moon,”
Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon is a masterclass in filmmaking, a harrowing epic that plunges into one of the darkest chapters in American history with unflinching clarity. Based on the true story chronicled in David Grann’s bestselling book, the film delves into the sinister series of murders of Osage Nation members in 1920s Oklahoma, following their sudden wealth due to oil discovered beneath their land. The narrative is driven by the improbable and tragic romance between Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), serving as a poignant lens through which the larger story of betrayal and greed unfolds.
Scorsese, working with screenwriter Eric Roth, crafts a film that is both epic in scope and intimate in its exploration of human nature. The film’s nearly four-hour runtime might seem daunting, but every minute is justified by the deliberate pacing and the depth of storytelling. Scorsese takes his time to let the story breathe, allowing the audience to fully absorb the gravity of the events and the emotional weight carried by the characters. The pacing is meticulous, never rushed, as it builds an overwhelming sense of dread that culminates in an unforgettable climax.
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a nuanced performance as Ernest Burkhart, a man torn between his loyalty to his powerful uncle, William Hale (Robert De Niro), and his genuine love for Mollie. DiCaprio portrays Ernest with a complexity that makes him both sympathetic and complicit, a man who is as much a victim of his circumstances as he is a perpetrator of the unspeakable betrayal at the film’s core. His performance is measured, allowing the audience to see the internal struggle that drives his actions.
However, it is Lily Gladstone as Mollie Kyle who truly stands out. Gladstone’s portrayal of Mollie is both powerful and haunting, as she brings to life a woman who endures unimaginable loss with grace and quiet strength. Mollie’s resilience in the face of overwhelming grief and betrayal is the emotional anchor of the film, and Gladstone’s performance is nothing short of revelatory. She holds her own against the veteran actors surrounding her, often stealing scenes with her subtle, deeply affecting portrayal.
Robert De Niro, as William Hale, embodies the chilling malevolence of a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. De Niro’s Hale is a manipulative, calculating figure, and his performance is a masterclass in portraying understated evil. Jesse Plemons also shines in his role as Tom White, the FBI agent who comes to investigate the murders, bringing a sense of justice and moral clarity to the narrative.
Visually, Killers of the Flower Moon is breathtaking. Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography captures the stark beauty of the Oklahoma landscape, with its barren, drought-stricken land serving as a reflection of the desolation felt by the Osage people. The film’s use of fire as a recurring visual motif is particularly striking, with Prieto’s lens capturing some of the most beautifully terrifying images of flames put to film. The fire symbolizes both destruction and purification, a duality that runs throughout the film as the characters grapple with their actions and their consequences.
The film’s depiction of the Osage murders is brutal and unflinching, a necessary confrontation with a horrifying part of American history that has too often been overlooked. Scorsese’s direction ensures that the film never veers into exploitation; instead, it honors the victims by telling their story with the gravity and respect it deserves.
Killers of the Flower Moon is a monumental achievement, a film that not only tells an important historical story but does so with a level of artistry that is rare in modern cinema. It is a film that demands to be seen, not just for its masterful performances and direction, but for the vital history it brings to light. Scorsese has once again proven why he is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, delivering a film that will be remembered as one of the defining works of his illustrious career.
