Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, is a movie based on the 2017 non-fiction book of the same name by David Grann. It tells the story of the Osage Nation murders in Oklahoma in the 1920s, in which members of the wealthy Osage Nation were targeted and killed for their oil wealth.
In the early 1920s, the Osage people of Oklahoma were the wealthiest people per capita in the world, thanks to the discovery of oil on their land. But their newfound wealth made them a target for greed and violence. Over the next decade, hundreds of Osage people were murdered, many of them with impunity.
Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of this crime and its aftermath through the eyes of three characters: Mollie Burkhart (Gladstone), a young Osage woman who witnesses the murder of her family; Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio), her cousin and an FBI agent who is tasked with investigating the murders; and William Hale (De Niro), a powerful rancher who is suspected of being involved in the conspiracy.
Overall the performances in the film are all excellent, with DiCaprio and Gladstone giving particularly standout turns. DiCaprio is both charming and menacing as Ernest Burkhart, and Gladstone is radiant and heartbreaking as Mollie. De Niro is also excellent in a supporting role, bringing a quiet intensity to his performance.
The production is superb, with recreations of the Osage Nation and 1920s Oklahoma that are both detailed and atmospheric. The film’s costumes and props are also beautifully crafted.
But Killers of the Flower Moon is more than just a well-made film. The film is a scathing indictment of greed, racism, and corruption. It is a reminder of the dark side of American history and the devastating consequences of injustice.
Killers of the Flower Moon is currently playing in cinemas across the UAE.
