Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of‎ the Flower Moon” is a haunting look at hidden evil set against the oil-rich Osage‎ Nation in Oklahoma. Based on David Grann’s non-fiction book of the same name, this masterful‎ historical drama tells a story where evil wolves act in plain sight. Scorsese’s skill as‎ a storyteller brings to light a disturbing part of history in which murder was planned‎ with the same ease as ordering a drink at a bar.

Plot Summary:

Inside the‎ vast state of Oklahoma in the early 1900s, the Osage Nation was pleasantly surprised when‎ oil was found beneath their land. They are now considered wealthy because they have gained‎ a lot of money. Almost overnight, they became the most affluent group in the country‎ per person. 

But their wealth is also a problem because it brings in people who‎ want to take advantage of the situation and claim a piece of the oil-rich land.‎ The following land dispute becomes the center of a historical drama, with William King Hale,‎ an astute cattle baron, becoming one of the main characters.

The story is told through‎ the eyes of Ernest Burkhardt, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He is a character who comes‎ back from war and gets sucked into Osage’s oil-based wealth. At first, Burkhardt works as‎ a driver for the rich Osage. 

Along the way, he meets the mysterious Mollie, played‎ by Lily Gladstone. As several Osage people, including Mollie’s family, are killed, their relationship becomes‎ the center of attention. The movie does a great job of connecting a personal tragedy‎ to a more significant social problem. For influential people, murder is just another day at‎ the office.

The Osage Nation fights for survival, while Hale, played by Robert De Niro,‎ works behind the scenes to get what he wants by playing political games. De Niro’s‎ performance as Hale is one of the movie’s best parts. He shows how a sociopath‎ can sell murder with a charming smile. 

The story looks at how people like Hale‎ treat killing as ordinary as ordering a drink at the bar. The evil wolves in‎ “Killers of the Flower Moon” don’t think about whether their actions are right or wrong.‎ Instead, they act without thinking if it will ultimately make them money.

Character Analysis:

“Killers‎ of the Flower Moon” has many different characters, each adding to the story’s complex tapestry.‎ Robert De Niro’s William King Hale is a powerful example of sociopathy. He is the‎ kind of person who will look you in the eyes as he stabs you in‎ the back. One of the best performances of De Niro’s long and successful career gives‎ this character more depth, and their plans are essential to the Osage tragedy.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s‎ performance as Ernest Burkhardt brings the audience into the middle of the conflict. Hale takes‎ advantage of Burkhardt’s weakness when he returns from war and gets caught up in the‎ Osage saga without meaning to. DiCaprio gives a nuanced performance that captures the core of‎ a man torn between duty and the destructive effects of power.

Mollie, played by Lily‎ Gladstone, becomes the movie’s main emotional character. Her character is shown with grace and realism‎ as she deals with illness, loss, and the evil forces at play. The story stays‎ true to the present without becoming overly dramatic, thanks to Gladstone’s outstanding acting. Mollie’s journey‎ shows how the Osage tragedy is full of unfairness and injustice on a larger scale.‎

The film is made better by its ensemble cast, which includes Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow,‎ Brendan Fraser, and many musicians who have also become actors. Every character, like the BOI‎ agent in charge of the investigation, the lawyers with different ideas, or the Osage family‎ members, adds something new to the story. Their different personalities make it more attractive to‎ read.

Themes And Commentary:

“Killers of the Flower Moon” goes beyond the rules of a‎ typical gangster movie. It fits with Scorsese’s exploration of corrupt and violent stories that have‎ defined his filmography. Watching this movie is very moving because it makes you think about‎ where violence and corruption came from in American history. Scorsese looks at the Osage murders‎ as a mirror to look at America’s violent past and asks how blood made America’s‎ soil grow.

The story’s more profound messages about unfairness, how wealth is created, and systemic‎ inequality are still relevant today. The KKK’s presence and the Tulsa Massacre are not extras;‎ they are essential parts of the movie that help it explore how society oppresses people.‎ The careless violence against people who are seen as less critical becomes a thread that‎ runs through a hundred years of horror and says a lot about how systemic oppression‎ leaves a lasting mark.

Technical Achievements:

The technical brilliance of “Killers of the Flower Moon”‎ shows up in many ways, making the movie more enjoyable. The cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto‎ shows how extensive and complicated the Osage Nation is with wide shots that show how‎ vast and complicated the land is. From close-ups and expansive views, Prieto’s lens becomes a‎ tool for telling stories, drawing the viewer into the complex web of the story.

Robbie‎ Robertson’s score is more than just background music; it’s like a heartbeat that makes the‎ movie tense and emotional. The unusual and powerful score goes against the rules, making sure‎ that images don’t just drive the movie’s momentum but also create a soundscape that connects‎ with the story’s emotional beats.

The film’s lengthy runtime is made possible by Thelma Schoonmaker’s‎ skill as an editor. Scorsese’s longest movie needs a skilled hand to keep the pace‎ and storyline straight. Schoonmaker does a great job leading the audience through a multi-year saga‎ while keeping track of the complicated story thread. The editing helps the movie flow smoothly‎ as it moves through the country’s violent history.

Reflection On Scorsese’s Direction:

“Killers of the‎ Flower Moon” is an excellent example of Scorsese’s long-lasting skill at showing how complicated people‎ are by setting them in corrupt and violent stories. The movie isn’t a typical gangster‎ movie, but it fits with Scorsese’s themes of social evils. But Scorsese’s work here has‎ an air of self-reflection, an awareness of age, and the use of a horrifying true‎ story to make you think about how the country got to where it is now,‎ one hundred years later.

Mollie and Ernest’s story adds a personal point of view to‎ the more extensive social commentary, giving it more depth. The way Scorsese directed the movie‎ doesn’t just show unfairness; it shows how injustice was built into the country’s wealth and‎ inequality. The film makes fun of the casual violence that has been a part of‎ a hundred years of horror movies, making people face the uncomfortable truths of our country’s‎ past.

Conclusion

The film “Killers of the Flower Moon” is profoundly moving, going beyond its‎ historical roots to connect with modern thoughts on power, violence, and the dark sides of‎ the past. The movie is a masterpiece. It makes you think because it looks at‎ the evil hiding in plain sight and makes intelligent comments about historical injustice. As the‎ story goes on, the evil wolves are free to roam. Scorsese makes a movie that‎ is not only a historical drama but also a testament to his lasting ability to‎ understand how complicated people are. The Osage tragedy is a microcosm of the long-lasting effects‎ of systemic oppression. It takes moviegoers on a haunting and thought-provoking journey.