Killers of the Flower Moon - Review

Martin Scorsese's Western True-Crime Thriller

The Chilling Osage Murders of the 1920s

Martin Scorsese's western true-crime thriller is a chilling exploration of the Osage murders in the early 1920s United States. Based on David Grann's acclaimed nonfiction bestseller, Scorsese, along with co-writer Eric Roth, weaves an epic narrative filled with existential dread. The story reflects on the rise of the American century, intertwining a haunting depiction of quasi-genocidal serial killings with the broader narrative of Native American erasure. At its core, the film explores a gaslit marriage riddled with deception and poisoned love, while foregrounding the dark undercurrents of the human psyche.

The film echoes Scorsese's earlier works on mob violence and loyalty, culminating in an inevitable sellout to federal authorities, whose own bad faith is gradually revealed. Ultimately, the film touches on themes central to all westerns and perhaps all history: the brutal quest for land, resources, and power.

Lily Gladstone's Gripping Performance as Mollie Burkhart

Lily Gladstone delivers a performance of profound emotional intensity as Mollie Burkhart, a Native American woman from the Osage tribe. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of an unexpected fortune that has befallen Mollie and her fellow Osage people. Their Oklahoma land, once considered barrent, reveals vast oil reserves, bringing them sudden wealth.

However, this prosperity is marred by a racist "guardianship" system, requiring Osage individuals to have a white co-signatory to access their wealth. Mollie and her family face a haunting mystery as they grapple with unexplained illnesses and deaths within their community. The discovery of murdered Osage individuals, including Mollie's unconventional sister Anna, deepens the unease. The outdoor autopsies at the crime scenes add a chilling layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.

Leonardo DiCaprio's Complex Role as Ernest Burkhart

Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Ernest, a morally compromised figure caught in this complex setting. Ernest, ambitious yet fundamentally inadequate, embodies greed and foolishness, willing to comply with others' desires. Returning to the United States after World War I, Ernest finds himself at the estate of his wealthy uncle, William Hale.

Robert De Niro plays Hale, a wealthy cattleman whose bitterness and self-importance define him. Hale maintains a facade of goodwill toward the Osage community while manipulating Ernest into his scheme. He recruits Ernest for a vague, versatile role that involves serving as a courtier and carrying out unsavory tasks. Hale encourages Ernest to marry Mollie, whom he has previously encountered, to gain legal rights to her oil "headrights."

The ill-fated union between Ernest and Mollie is further complicated by Mollie's ailing mother, Lizzie Q, portrayed by Tantoo Cardinal. Mollie's diabetes adds another layer of complexity, exacerbated by questionable medication procured by Hale and administered by Ernest, who feigns concern while shedding insincere tears over her deteriorating helath.

Federal Investigation and Its Consequences

As the situation spirals out of control, federal authorities in Washington D.C. dispatch an agent from the nascent Bureau of Investigations later known as the FBI. Jesse Plemons plays Tom White, the agent rasked with investigating the murderrs. Scorsese cleverly portrays the political landscape, suggesting that the bureau's delayed intervention is partially driven by the need to mange the increasingly tense dynamics between the white population and the affluent Osange community. This intervention also serves to reinforce federal oversight in the newly formed state of Oklahoma.

Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio deliver compelling performances, portraying the unsettling relationship between Mollie and Ernest. Their connection is spiritually uneasy, as Ernest's genuine feelings for Mollie are entangled in a web of deceit and violence. Yet, Ernest's true allegiance lies with his powerful uncle, placing him in a subordinate role. DiCaprio's appearance begins to mirror De Niro's suggesting a younger version imitating his master--a victim--villain with the same piercing gaze and simmering hostility.

Within the narrative, Ernest's uncle initiates him into the Masons, leading to a memorable scene of corporal punishment in the local masonic hall, replete with ornate regalia. This punishment, resulting from Ernest's perceived betrayal, is a moment that remains etched in the audience's memory.

A Haunting Tale of Power and Corruption

Despite Hale's professed concern and apparent benevolence toward the Osage people, his influence fosters profound dysfunction. Despression, alcoholism, lawlessness, fatal illness, and murder are among the grim consequences fo his rule. Lily Gladstone portrays Mollie as a complex character, burdened with self-reproach and shame for unwittingly collaborating with her oppressor. Despite this, Mollie maintains a dignified composure, rising above the squalor surrounding her. Her serenity, however, also embodies the immobilizing effects of her illness. Despite her awareness of Ernest's inherent flaws, she remains captivated by him, even as she recognizes his lack of virtue.

Scorsese delivers a compelling narrative, using an audacious farming device in the form of a callously insensitive "true crime" radio show. In this show, Osage characters are portrayed by white actors in a crass manner. This cinematic endeavor is captivating and engrossing, as Scorsese delves into a story he perceives as a clandestine chronicle of American power. The film reveals a hidden epidemic of violence, a toxic undercurrent that contaminates the very essence of human existence.