Killers of the Flower Moon
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Killers of the Flower Moon is a 2023 epic anti-Western crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the 2017 nonfiction book by David Grann. Set in 1920s Oklahoma, the film chronicles the systematic murders of wealthy Osage Nation members after oil was discovered on their tribal land, and the subsequent investigation by the Bureau of Investigation (later the FBI). The narrative explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, primarily focusing on the manipulative relationship between Ernest Burkhart and his Osage wife, Mollie Kyle. This film is intended for mature audiences due to its graphic depiction of historical violence and complex moral themes.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains extensive and graphic violence, central to the plot of the Osage murders. It features numerous depictions of killings, including shootings, explosions, poisonings, and physical beatings, often with visible blood and detailed injuries. The cumulative effect of the violence is described as painful and unrelenting by some viewers.
The movie includes multiple graphic depictions of violence. For instance, 'guns are used for robberies, bank heists, and daylight murders and we see blood spurts when people are shot'. A particularly disturbing scene involves an explosion destroying a home, showing a man screaming, burned, and bloody beneath rubble, and his wife's dead body with a 'gory wound at the back of her head,' followed by the discovery of a 'bloodied dismembered hand' at the site. Additionally, Osage people are systematically murdered through various means, including being 'slowly poisoned by white family members tampering with their medication'.
Scary & Intense Content
The film contains highly intense and disturbing content, stemming from its true-crime narrative of systemic murder and betrayal. This includes graphic violence, scenes of terror and suspense related to the ongoing murders, and emotionally harrowing situations involving torture, poisoning, and the targeting of innocent individuals. The historical footage of the Tulsa massacre also contributes to the intense nature.
Disrespect & Rebellion
A core theme of the film is the profound disrespect, manipulation, and systematic oppression of the Osage Nation by white interlopers driven by greed. This includes overt racism, derogatory language, exploitation, and extreme acts of violence and betrayal against Indigenous people.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
The film is rated R by the MPAA and is generally recommended for audiences aged 17 and older. This is due to pervasive strong violence, including graphic injury detail, murder, and scenes of poisoning, as well as instances of strong language, verbal sexual innuendo, and mature thematic elements involving systemic racism and historical exploitation. The extended runtime of over three hours also requires a significant attention span suitable for mature viewers.
Good to Know
The film has a considerable runtime of 3 hours and 26 minutes, which may be challenging for some viewers. Viewers should be prepared for a historically accurate, albeit difficult, portrayal of racial violence and systemic corruption. Some Indigenous viewers have critiqued the film for its graphic violence and the foregrounding of white characters despite Osage involvement in the production.
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