Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) is an epic reenactment of the dark history of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart, a rancher whose Osage wife Mollie (Lily Gladstone) holds a vast fortune in oil wealth. The prosperity shared by Mollie and her fellow tribe members originates from mineral rights dating back to the discovery of oil deposits on their land—this newfound fortune attracting both opportunists and predators.
The storyline follows World War I veteran Burkhart as he arrives at the nearby ranch of his uncle William "King" Hale (Robert De Niro) in 1919, and quickly becomes smitten with Mollie. Upon marriage, Burkhart is swayed by King to participate in the clandestine elimination of multiple Osage, including members of Mollie's family, in order to consolidate his eventual inheritance. These killings draw the attention of the Bureau of Investigation and Agent Thomas Bruce White Sr. (Jesse Plemons)—a dramatic turning point that casts a long shadow of suspicion throughout the community.
Based on the novel by David Grann and directed by Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull, Goodfellas), "Killers of the Flower Moon" is a searing depiction of historic exploitation. Scorsese applies his world-class filmmaking acumen to exceptional effect, painstakingly recreating the Osage Nation's plight while never resorting to contrivance or melodrama. His film sheds remarkable light on a shameful chapter in American history while delivering a powerful exploration of greed, betrayal and the enduring pursuit of justice.
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