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"Killers of the Flower Moon" is a 2023 American Western crime drama, masterfully directed and produced by Martin Scorsese, with Eric Roth co-writing the script. Based on David Grann's 2017 non-fiction book, the story unfolds in 1920s Oklahoma, centering on the chilling murders in the Osage Nation following the discovery of oil on their land. This wealth, secured through mineral rights, attracts the sinister attention of a corrupt local political boss intent on usurping the tribe's riches.

The film features an impressive cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, with notable performances by Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, and Brendan Fraser. It marks a significant milestone in cinema, the sixth collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio, the tenth with De Niro, and the final with composer Robbie Robertson, to whom the film is dedicated following his passing.

William Belleau, Tatanka Means, Yancy Redcorn, Janae Collins, Jillian Dion, Cara Jade Myers, Tantoo Cardinal, Talee Redcorn on the Red Carpet at PSIFF 2024 photo by Pat Krause.

Development began in 2016, with Scorsese and DiCaprio attaching themselves to the project in 2017. Despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filming eventually took place in 2021 in Oklahoma, backed by a substantial budget. The film was produced by Scorsese's Sikelia Productions and DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions.

Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio on the Red Carpet at the PSIFF 2024 photo by Pat Krause.

Premiering at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the film was later released by Apple TV+ and Paramount Pictures, earning over $156 million worldwide. Critics lauded its direction, screenplay, production, editing, cinematography, and powerful performances, particularly from DiCaprio, Gladstone, and De Niro. However, its runtime drew some criticism. The film won accolades, including Best Film at the National Board of Review and seven Golden Globe nominations, with Gladstone winning Best Actress Motion Picture - Drama.

The plot weaves a tragic narrative where the Osage Nation, enriched by oil, faces a series of orchestrated murders. Ernest Burkhart, a World War I veteran, gets entangled in these crimes under the influence of his uncle, William King Hale, who masterminds the killings to seize the Osage's wealth. The film navigates through layers of deception, greed, and betrayal, culminating in a legal battle that exposes the heinous crimes. In the end, Ernest's confession helps convict Hale, but the scars of these events linger, a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in American history. The film closes with a contemporary scene of an Osage powwow, symbolizing endurance and cultural continuity.