I have a lot more to say about my review on this, but I think I'm going to expound on it as it's own video. I'm finding that that Native Community is divided on this film, for good reason, and for sure I'm giving the film too much credit, but part of the reason has to with things mentioned in my video about Hollywood Standards vs Authenticity. The context of this film and history of native representation in popular media combined made for my views on it. I address a part of it towards the end of this video. I encourage y'all to check out my video here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oLt9gLCGzczbdpc.htmlsi=ip3teizo54Q0MwqR

I'm Osage and just saw it yesterday. I appreciate your review. My gr-grandfather was poisoned in 1913. His wife gave birth to my grandmother 4 months later. I've been dreading seeing this, but noticed I was so relieved afterwards. It's all true, and many, many more died. Yes, we're still here.

The thing that is going to stick with me is when Mollie’s first sister dies there is a well attended funeral. The entire community and her surviving family is there to mourn with her. When Mollie attends the last funeral of a native person depicted in the film, she is essentially alone. Everyone else in her family is dead. Absolutely gutting.

I think the movie doesn’t portray Ernest as genuinely loving Molly. Rather, it portrays him as him lying to himself that he loves her, when he clearly doesn’t. He basically only loves her as an object, which isn’t actually love at all

I walked into the movie expecting Earnest to follow the typical Hollywood arc of falling in love, doing his uncle's bidding, realizing he was hurting his wife, and then ultimately coming to her defense. It wasn't until about half way thru that it dawned on me that Earnest wasn't "learning" the lessons he was supposed to, that he was internally conflicted but ultimately too much a product of white supremacy to break free like that. By the end, I felt pity for him but much more strongly I felt satisfaction at Molly's final turn away from him. Earnest was a sad, pathetic creature of his racist culture and family. Bill, with his false friendship and greed, was truly terrifying.

I don't think Native filmmakers should be boxed into make only period piece films. I want Native Cinema to cover all different kinds of genres. But these kind of stories, our history, needs to be told or else it will be forgotten. I didn't learn about the Osage murders until this film was first announced.

I'm Cherokee, born and raised in Tulsa & so was my mom. We learned about the Tulsa riots on KZfaq, together. She's in her 50s, I'm in my 20s. They don't want us to know this, they want to cover it up. I had no idea about what happened to the Osage until I watched this movie. It's sickening that it happened & that it's being so buried. How did school not teach us about this, especially being in Tulsa? Thank you for making this video.

I absolutely loved Lily Gladstone. She was the heart and soul of this movie. That pained look in her eyes in every scene made me wonder what was on her mind? What kinds of things had this woman been seen and been the through? I just really connected with her character. I hope wins an Oscar.

I am Lakota. Member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I thought the movie was wonderful and I wasn't offended by anything. I feel like Scorsese did the right thing to make it marketable. He made it true crime with a true crime perspective. And if he hadn't done that, less people would see it. This is just incredible and having Scorsese, Dicaprio, and Deniro tied to this makes it possible for a broader audience to hear about what happened to the Osage people. Mitakuye Oyasin.

I watched the movie this week and I loved Lilly's performance. In Arabic, we have a word for that feeling that is a mixture of dread, hopelessness, heartbreak, and rage, it is "qahr" and I think Lilly portrayed that emotion perfectly. Every time she was on screen, my heart was breaking little bit more. I can't start to imagine how it felt for you watching it as a native American, knowing that justice was not served and that the oppression continues. Love and solidarity.

I think another reason Native film makers don't have a lot of period work is cost. Only one of THE MOST FAMOUS living directors is going to be allowed a budget to make a period piece like this, let alone one about native peoples. I've worked as a graphic designer on a couple period pieces and those art departments are HUGE. Sterlin Harjo makes it through his show, even with a small budget, because he doesn't have to construct an entire town every time a character walks out the door. I mean think about Smoke Signals. There are basically three sets in that movie. Two of them are reservations and one's a bus. CHEAP. But hey you gotta do what you gotta do to get the story told. I mean look at Dark Winds. It needed Robert Redford and George RR Martin as EPs to get off the ground. Or Indian Horse. Clint Eastwood's Name is almost as big as the title on that poster.

The line "there will be public outcry, but they will forget" sticks with me. As someone born and raised in the Tulsa area, with ties to Cherokee and Choctaw tribes, I cried at the end. The end was the celebration that the Osage are still here. I don't look native at all, I look white but I'm still trying to relearn the history and language of my ancestors.

I agree with your point about pressuring indigenous filmmakers to make almost strictly historical, activist pieces. It's irritating because so many of us can make art that touches on those themes without being a heavy-handed historical piece. Films about modern-day indigenous people have just as much potential to be interesting and intricate. I recently watched 'Hey Viktor!' at VIFF which was a mockumentary with almost 100% indigenous cast, including some from Smoke Signals. Very funny! And it touched on relevant topics without being preachy or over-serious.

For a director with the chops of Scorsese, it’s all intentional. I think a pretty major theme of this movie is that history is sort of written by the people who are the oppressors. Scorsese showing it from the point of view of Burkhart is right because he doesn’t have the ability to direct from the perspective of a Native. Also, he’s showing that evil is close to home and regular/simple people have the ability to be manipulated into situations by those with more power than them. Not saying Burkhart was a good guy at all. In fact he is evil but he is used as a puppet to perpetuate the horrors of the story.

This review is so good. The story has been in the dark for almost a hundred years. The least anyone can do is sit through three hours

I hugely appreciate the elucidation of the protagonist / hero fallacy. I see that a lot when people are talking about the book "Dune" and assume that Paul Atreides is supposed to be a hero BECAUSE he's the protagonist when that is absolutely not the case. It's a reading comprehension issue that isn't brought up enough, I feel.

I did like how the movie at least tried to link the atrocities of Osage County and Tulsa/Greenwood...the way the history is taught in this country is of separate occurrence of brutality against marginalized people instead of a linked chain of perpetual systematic brutality that the country has to maintain.

The ending gave me goosebumps. The drums shook the theater I was in and I felt it in my body.

I am Mexican and was very unaware of the Osage culture, and WOW, I LOVED this Film. THIS is cinema. Very interested into learning more about the Osage ancestry. Just mind blowing. Some of the HARDEST people in existence. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

I thought the ending criticized corporate America; making an entertaining radio show based of a tragedy. Also, the people attending will eventually forget and move on to the "next story of the day" which was foreshadowed by DeNiro's character.

The way Marty made a cameo was brilliant he looked like he was holding back tears….this film was a masterpiece

I like what you said about Ernest and his relationship with Mollie. I've heard most people say "he loved her but he did x to her. That's so complex. I wonder what we're not shown about his character." I think his issue is that he genuinely did not understand what it even means to love someone. He comes from a family of cold psychopaths who never modeled what it means to love. You can even see this in his relationship with fellow criminals. All the crimes are nothing but transactions instead of goals shared by a brotherhood. Because of this the crimes fail. Since he's not smart enough to manipulate people emotionally he's left in a corner after these failures. He tells the truth not necessarily because he has a heart, but because he's left with no other choice. He can't rely on love/loyalty and he can't rely on intelligence

Lizzie’s last scene had me almost sobbing in the theatre. I had also connected her ancestors as her parents, my thought on the other character was her spirit guide who would help her to the spirit world. As an Anishinaabe, it reminded me of our burial ceremony. Especially with the clothing choice and colour, red being the colour we see once we pass. Very hard hitting and beautifully captured.

I think my fav scene is when the mother’s spirit is lead away to the great beyond. So gorgeous. The film overall had Terence Malick vibe to me, which Grace Randolph pointed out and criticized, but I loved it! Scorsese was also inspired to pace the movie slower by Ari Aster’s movies actually, and those movies have a pretty spiritual tone to them as well which I love, and I def got those vibes too. I also really loved how the movie used color. Most of the scenes in nature were really warm and gentle, scenes among Osage people were really vibrant, and scenes among white people were really cold and steely, I just really appreciated that detail as a photography nerd.

As a Choctaw I was absolutely blown away that my tribe was mentioned and the Tulsa Massacre which also affected our tribe as both the five tribes and blacks were shoved into Indian territory to get us out of the way then the whites came to stomp us out for the oil. I definitely felt vindicated for all the historical trauma we all feel

Jack Fisk (production design) and Jacqueline West (costume design) deserve Oscars for their work.

Thank you for your perspective. I had read the book but was not prepared for the emotional impact of the film. I appreciate the filmmaker’s choice to make this a slow-paced film, not a “true crime thriller” or investigative procedural. Performances by Lily Gladstone and DiCaprio are mesmerizing. She is so contained that when she reveals grief and shock, her smallest sounds and gestures hit like an explosion. Ernest’s character is inscrutable. Whatever emotional attachment he is feeling for Millie is left to our individual imagination and conscience. Personally, I thought about kids I knew who raised a calf for a 4H competition, and “loved” it in a way I could not and would not want to comprehend: as livestock.

This film was made also for me, a European that never heard of Osage people before. I went to watch the film without knowing anything about it apart from that it was made by Scorsese and stared De Niro and DiCaprio. I didn't know who Gladstone was. Now her face and expressions and voice and the way she moved is imprinted in my mind! The film was excellent and heartbreaking and enraging and it made me think of tragic crimes that are still happening around the world (Palestine ) and how compliced we are for just ignoring them. I didn't know it was a true story until i came home that night and googled it. My grandfather was in a consentration camp and came out (when Americans opened the camp) a broken man, never recovered. I loved the osage people, their beautiful culture their respect for women, nature, their beauty. Thank you! Your perspective means a lot!

Lily Gladstone & Cara Jade Myers aren’t getting enough credit for their phenomenal performances

I hope we get an Osage-directed movie sometime to see more of their POV. The scenes of Molly chatting with her sisters were the best scenes in the movie, by far. For me, a person is never more human than when their peculiar sense of humor is on full display. Sure I feel bad about tragedy in an abstract sense, but knowing how Anna and Molly joked about the men in their lives made her fate a gut-punch. To all the "anti-white movies" this is how one should go about critiquing white people. Though i feel Leo hogged a lot of the runtime, I absolutely adore how his character accurately reflects not the "Eeevviiillll" of white people, but rather, my capacity for denial, hypocrisy, and cowardice. When he sees the burning house, he really is horrified. Not because he didn't have the information to guess that this is what Uncle Hale's plan was; but because he had the information but chose _not to look at it_ and just hope for the best. He hoped Hale would just kill the dad, so that became his reality. Until reality smacked him in the face. And even then, he defends the guy, while knowing he's wrong, because that's what he was raised to do. There is malice and cruelty in hornet's nest, but cowardice, denial, and hypocrisy are the actual foot-soldiers. It would take a lot for me to be someone like Hale. But I could easily slip into being someone like Ernest who just goes along with whatever. I adore this film, and I can't wait to see more of the actual native POV and what they're about on top of this white-centered film existing. Hopefully this'll open the door for more native directors getting big distribution deals and breaking out of obscurity.

William Hale is one of the most evil and intimidating characters I've seen in fiction, and he was real.

Watching this in a border town (cities near reservations), I was scared to hear/see the reactions of non-natives in the theater. However to my surprise. A lot of non-natives were respectful. Much of the audience stayed until the final English title card, and clapped. I too was moved, and in some way, grateful for that ending. To see the Osage dancing and singing in the end, made me smile and feel woe.

My husband and I saw this on Saturday. I was so appalled and disgusted I found myself taking prolonged bathroom breaks. Imagine living through that. Unconscionable. It has stuck with me for days and I just started the book. My utmost sympathies to all of the tribes who have continually been put through hell by this government and it’s people.

That the guy "loved" Molly was about what he got from her-sex and instant wealth. His morality wasn't conflicted; his selfishness was conflicted. That's why he could poison her and still be attracted to her-he probably would not have if he weren't afraid of what DeNiro's character would do to him. It was all about him-sex, wealth, and ultimately his own safety. That is the poison that caused this atrocity, just as in Nazi Germany. That he "felt" love was merely biological conditioning of his sex hormones, like when Nazi leaders formed love affairs with Jewish slaves. If they had any love, they would not have tolerated any violence.

The scene where Tantoo’s character passes is quite possibly my favorite death scene of any film I have ever seen. It was so beautifully done.

"We're still here.... We're still here." Thank you for your quality of presence and for sharing your insights. It reminds me of a reason for hope... that we can all become more fully present, to ourselves, to each other, to our world.

This is a beautiful, well-balanced, critical review. Thank you. As a Black American, this film hit me in so many ways.

Adding yet a third comment . When “king” dismissive,y called the Osage women “blankets” it just crushed me. Firstly that the women were regarded as things or commodities , secondly because I have great admiration of the Pendleton tribal patterns and craftsmanship. But mostly because these women were seen as “blankets”. Also disturbing , the KKK parading through town, white supremacy pitting groups against each other w the “king”s of the world trying to control all of it.

As a black man in america i too felt the powerful ending of the spirit of the Osage. I loved the scene of lilly going with her ancestors. This movie envoke alot of empathy for what happened to the Osage, and never was taught in schools to this day! I was enthralled in the movie hoping for each sister to live and justice to come for those who were complicit to the crimes. You were right i wanted to know how many were killed during the terror.

If we’re talking about reverent scenes, there’s this one scene that I just can’t seem to get out of my head. It’s the whole 'Molly in her regalia praying beside the creek before the golden hues of the sun' scene. It’s just evocative & stunning cinematography imo. As a Native myself, it resonated with me. There's a lot of those beautiful moments in this movie. Great review btw, we made one as well, it’d be very appreciated if you could check it out. :) -T

I really do love how this is probably the most accurate depiction of racisim isnt just torches and pitchforks. It was just the most matter of fact, the funeral owner was in on it because of the prices he made them pay because of the money the Osage were getting, it was the police who were being paid off, IT WAS DE NIRO'S CHARACTER who learned their language and their customs to just lead them to slaughter for a quick buck. Bro got let off a life sentence in 20 years for good behavior despite leading a mass murder ring.

Felt very sick to my stomach at times at how evil and vile King and the others were. Lily Gladstone is my favorite part of the movie. Martin Scorcesse almost tears up at the end, how couldn’t you?😢

If I read the wiki correctly, the Native FBI agent was Ute. I feel like this movie, like Oppenheimer, was going to live and die by the cast. The writing and the production will not glow if you don't have the right people. Glad to hear that Scorcese was to the point in how the violence was depicted, he's usually good about that.

The music over the opening scenes was totally awesome. Thank you Robbie Robertson.

We need to get back to letting teachers show realistic movies like this in the classroom. I was born in the early 80s, and it was those few teachers who told you the truth that really had an impact on me wanting to learn more about the people around me. I learned empathy at an early age because of it. It made be a better man overall in life be knowing the actual horrors we are capable of.

I can't say how the general audience response in Korea because when I watched it there were like, only ten people in the theater...😢 Presumably Scorses fans and/or cinephiles... at least nobody snored or misbehaved, so that's good I guess. What I can say is that I was surprised how it didn't feel so long! I felt like I was taken into that time period, and Lily Gladstone has such a magestic, powerful presence that was absolutely captivating. Maybe it's because I'm a woman myself or maybe it's the direction, but despite Earnest being the protagonist/pov character I found myself focusing more on what must be going on Mollie's mind, how she must be feeling right now, and how would she react when she discovers the horrifying truth about her husband. Not that I disagree with the choice of making Earnest, an accomplice to the crime, the protagonist--he was petty, pathetic, and terribly human. Essentially, Scorsese was telling the white audience that "you" could be Earnest, or maybe you are already Earnest. (Though the film specifically targets American white supremacy and white folks, I think broadly speaking anybody who has a majority status in their communities has the potential to commit banal evil against minorities intentionally or thoughtlessly.) And while most of the records (and the book) is based on FBI records and could have easily been turned the movie into a typical FBI-saves-the-day crime drama (which the movie itself acknowledges at the terrific meta ending), it didn't go that way. After all, the U.S. government itself is complicit as well, shown in the movie by forcing Native Americans to live in reservations, enforcing the audacious concept of white guardianship, and devaluing Osage lives (failing to conduct a proper investigation until dozens, probably hundreds, died) therefore enabling the very murders to continue. I agree with you that the audience wasn't supposed to sympathize with Earnest. Around the end of the movie when Earnest decided to cooperate with the FBI to be "with his family" and told Mollie how it felt good to "come clean," I internally screamed, "But you poisoned her! And you still wouldn't admit it!" Then immediately Mollie asked him, "What did you give me?(as in what was in the insulin?)" She knew. And he still lied till the end.

Just watched this in Oklahoma theaters, even though it was tragic events it was amazing to see a story about the Osage people in Oklahoma on the big screen!

As someone who isn’t native, the mother passing away was my favorite scene in the entire movie. It was so peaceful and the sound was amazing in the theaters. It was such a calm sound and calm passing

I was born and raised in Oklahoma I 💯 learned about the Tulsa race riots from the watchman and I read killers of the flowermoon after I heard it was a movie in production . I had never heard of the Osage murders before then. So as a typical white guy who is trying to better himself I totally agree this movie was made to check myself just like you said. I’m sorry this is what it takes. We are trying to be and do better . ❤

Marvelous film, and an excellent review. One of my best friends is Cherokee and lives in Oklahoma. She's talked to me about how she's not fully comfortable having to watch the film in a theater. She'd rather wait until it's at home and she can process things better.

People were silent in Missouri. Just clapping at the end. I cried at the end. I personally cried when they mentioned leaving Missouri in the movie. The Ozarks are beautiful and I am so sad they were forced to leave. I know what was taken from them. I’m so sorry that happened.

I'm sorry, you had your moment with the ending spoiled by those people. It resonated deeply with me too. As a person of mexican descent reconciling my own heritage and recognizing our indeginous ancestry hit me hard by the ending. We are still here.

I think Lily Gladstone could win an Oscar.

I really liked your critiques of the movie. And personally I think Martin is one of the best directors for anti heroes cause he never tells the audience how to feel but shows the true evil inside the person

I read the book, and was incredibly disappointed that the narrative wasn't rooted in Mollie's POV and didn't, thus, center her as the main character... because in the book, she IS. It's Mollie's story, and there's so much suspense and heartbreak derived from seeing it from her and her community's perspective rather than the villain/white protagonist perspective... they truly did not know what was going on, who was doing it, and who they could trust. As it unfolded in the book I just GASPED when I realized who was behind the murders. It was a gut punch. Making Earnest the primary POV/lens character is a choice, and simply not one that worked as well for me as it did for others. It's cool that people love it. It was a technically fantastic film in so many ways. I was also struck by the same notable moments as you. But I really wanted a film that better reflected the lens from the book/true story, ie: Mollie Burkhart as the central figure. Just my personal feeling on it. I can only sincerely hope the movie brings people to the book, and Mollie's story. (and at least we have Lily at the heart of the film, imbuing Mollie with such depth and strength. I really hope she gets the Oscar.)

As someone who's from Brazil and has a very surface level understanding of Native american history, I went into this because I saw "Robert Deniro and DiCaprio". I didn't even know it was a Scorcese film. By the middle of it, I was in a lot of disbelief so many people were being murdered, that I had to stop to Google if it was real. And that's how I realized it actually was. It's a little hard to reconcicle how people were so openly evil to other people as a group and everyone knew and was okay with it. Truly unimaginable. I think that's why people may come out of the theater thinking "can you imagine if this was real?". It's truly appalling that people can lay their heads on the pillow at night ok with these types of choices, especially with so many knowing about it and not caring.

Geez I bawled multiple times during this movie. The montage scene at the beginning that shows native people assimilating to the colonizers’ ways of living was sobering already. My partner let me have time to dry up my face a bit before leaving the theater lol. I thought it did a good job of conveying how relentless and heavy it all was, I cannot imagine how it would feel to be indigenous, especially Osage in that theater. It was truly gut-wrenching.

Someone having the takeaway that this was an "anti-white" movies is infuriating but unsurprising. I greatly appreciate your review and perspective. The white complacency aspect is eye-opening

thank you for this honest review. this chapter in history needed to be reopened and i’m happy to hear that this film was respectful to the native perspective.

Thank you for this. I loved Robbi Robertson and I'm sad that he may not have seen this finished work. Love Tantoo. Haven't seen the film yet.

Wonderful review. I was also struck by the lack of acknowledgement of the magnitude of the carnage and your insight about the banality of the evil that we need to be continually reminded of.

That parallel you made in the intro really helped put a piece of this film into perspective. Part of what made the movie's length work for me was the fact that it didn't make these moments of brutality just a flash-in-the-pan moments. Instead you're forced to sit with it as these events take place again and again and wanting something to be done. And then having to think what would you have done and what are you doing when you see events like these taking place in today's news?

I think if the film were shown from an Osage perspective not as many people would have connected with it. I think Earnest’s perspective was a good choice as it gave the audience a surrogate and through him we fell in love with Mollie and then watched him destroy her and her family. I watched this in Mexico with my Mayan husband who had no clue about the book and he spent half the movie expecting Earnest to do the right thing, basically up until he facilitated Reta being killed. I was pretty surprised. I think that was also the moment when the audience came to the realization that this wasn’t going to be a hero narrative. It was watching how even someone you start off rooting for descends into corruption and greed while dehumanizing his victims. I loved the movie.

It was hard to not see this movie as a psychological horror movie. Saw it once maybe the day after it came out and it still hasn't left my head.

I would have loved more scenes w the ancestor guides , funeral rites etc I agree that scene w her ancestors really made a huge impression but more would have been great . Maybe directors cut later ?

I feel like indigenous film makers just making films with representation of their people just existing is a form of activism in itself! It is so beautiful to see authentic representation of people like you and to open other people up to that authenticity instead of stereotypes.

I watched it with some friends. I'm of mascalero apache decent so I made sure I explained before seeing the film it's based on true events. Let's just say we were all sadden at the end of the movie. I'm glad they were upset Ernest got out of prison. I myself went to bed in tears. You did such a an awesome job explaining the film, music scores, traditions, and your personal thoughts on overall film. Thank you! Aheeiyeh

Amazing review. Sadly had a theatre experience similar to yours. Its disappointing to see people refuse to think about what they're seeing.

The ancestors scene when Mollies mother was dying also touched me. It was so peaceful and beautiful, I really appreciate the moments in the movie that depict the Osage culture which I was previously not very familiar with. Also great review man ❤

Amazing film. I started doing so much research after. Just amazing how much we are not taught in American History.

Fantastic review. Just subscribed and shared. When Scorsese came on the stage to discuss what happened to Mollie it made all the brutality I had just watched fully hit me. You could tell how important this was for him to make and I completely agree with you on the film being a mirror. Once the film ended I just sat there in silence before I was able to get up and leave the theater. Upon walking out with my boyfriend I began discussing my feelings about the film and I couldn’t contain the tears flowing down my face. Again, amazing review as well as your commentary. I found it to be incredibly educational. 🙏🤘

Your voice inspires my sense that, as bleak as the particular tale has it, this quilt stretches across the continental. The well of similarly grim and incomprehensible simplicity lay all across this continent. We only hear about the powerful and once powerful Nations. Sadly, like the black farmers of reconstruction, small stands or utterly peaceful ilks were swept aside in a long-term rash of white genocide. What interests me from how you describe the film will be how more tales might emerge from the curtain of silent complicity our histories even now maintain.

I am from Europe and watched the film last week. I know Native Americans now for 50 years. This review is superb and wonderful. The world is learning what happened to the Native people. And Scorsese wanted to watch the world not only Americans. This movie teaches the world to check on us. We have way too many cases. We need more films about Native Americans. I am still crying.

Definitely a tough movie to watch. I was very curious about how native people would view the "spiritual" scenes like the owl and the mother waking up to her ancestors. As a non native I thought they were some of the most interesting scenes in the movie but I know it's also a bit of a stereotype. Anyway, thank you for your perspective, I look forward to future insights.

Me and my girlfriend watched this two days ago in an entirely empty theater here in Dallas, Texas, granted it was a Monday. It was one of the best films I think I’ve seen in a long time,… I definitely can’t lie, I missed a lot of the perspectives that you brought to light in this video. It was very enlightening. I still love and enjoy the film, but I’m glad for the new insight. I can’t help but agree, though, the citizens paranoia, interactions and perspectives of the Osage would’ve really helped properly contextualize what was happening to the community, and some idea of what it was like to live in that community would have been super interesting.

I finally saw the film. Took me a while as I had to travel to a bigger town. I appreciate your insights and reactions, from a filmmaker, as well as an indigenous filmmaker point of view. A theme that is really staying with me is of honesty and redemption. I feel that Molly was still open for a full confession from her husband, still held the flame for his living as an authentic human, even after he had done so much harm. I don't know that she would have taken him back as a husband, but she held the possibility of him telling all his dirty truths. To me, it speaks of a worldview where a person can commit great harm and still have the possibility of redemption. But the choice is in their hands.

Man, I’m glad that Killers brought me to you. I love the insight and critique you provided here. But mainly you audio, editing and overall production on your channel is very solid. Salute to you!

Such a fantastic review. Thank you! I really appreciate your videos and your perspective.

I'm a Brazilian, saw the movie in it's opening day and really enjoyed. But your video took it to a whole other level. I'm 24 so I don't really remember how was life before KZfaq. I say that because I don't remeber the last time that I saw a video that toutched me so much! Incredibly well writen and even more truefull. Thank you for this! Subscribing right now!

Im so excited I found your channel! Your setup looks and sounds amazing, too. We recently moved to Oklahoma, and I was in Pawhuska when I learned about this movie. My fam was enjoying bbq on the corner near the tracks, and the owner told us all about the story of the Osage people and how it was during filming in town. It was a really humbling experience to learn about the history (to quote Hamilton) in the room where it happens. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspectives, I really enjoyed this review.

Really interesting insights. I thought you really hit the nail on the head with your comment about the compilicity. I think that's the glue that holds the film together and makes it so effective, and ends up making the catharsis you talk about so much more powerful. I also thought your references to the interviews at Cannes were spot on - they are very illuminating. For me, what Scorcese said about the issues he was aiming to address being "systemic" and how the film was a "metaphor" really brought into focus how his chosen treatment of this particular Native story become the mirror held up to America you talk about - and made the complicity resonate well beyond the events in the film.

As an African, I went to go see this movie and I felt a lot of emotions. I felt that I wanted to weep, cry. I wanted to tell the Indigenous that I respect you and bow to you and say I am sorry. Also to honor you. One of this day I want to go Osage community and pay their respect. I sorry that I am rambling....I am new to this channel and I saw your channel, I want to rant with you because I felt I need to talk too. Thank you. Great movie to be told for history.

Thank you for sharing this perspective. I feel I understand the film better now, and I appreciate getting a glimpse into it's reception within this community.

I cannot thank you enough for your insights on the movie. As a french person who knew very little about this part of American history, I was so struck by the movie that I decided to write an essay on it as part of my MAster's degree, which is how I found your video. I think this relates very well to what you were saying about the fact that it also matters that someone like Scorses directed it, as I am not sure to what extent I would have heard of it if it was made by a Native filmamker unfortunately. While making some research, I found a very interesting book on memory-making through film called "Prosthetic Memory: The Transformation of American Remembrance in the Age of Mass Culture" by Landsberg. She asserts that modernity enables a novel type of cultural memory known as "prosthetic memory." This type of memory arises at the intersection of an individual and a historical narrative, often experienced in settings like movie theaters or museums. In this phenomenon, individuals not only grasp a historical account but also internalize a personally significant memory of a past event they did not directly experience. The resulting prosthetic memory holds the power to influence the person's subjectivity and political views and I think that it truly applies in the case of Killers of the Flower Moon, at least for me. Anyways, thank you again for this very rich video!

It's a great film and by the end provoked tears of profound sadness mixed with rage. I immediately thought of my peoples' experiences in this country and the ongoing experiences of other peoples across the globe. I appreciate your review and nuanced insights. I take comfort in knowing that, as you say, the Osage are still here, despite all they had to endure, but that doesn't make the manifold injustices any more palatable or forgivable. We are living in a moment where many folks seek to ignore and even erase the past. We must not allow that to happen. The past isn't just a collection of incidents that happened, it's a force that leaves its imprint on us in our minds and bodies down to the genetic level. In many ways we are who we are because of the joys and struggles of kin and culture that preceded us. That we are still here is a testament to strength of collective character and will. It is also an opportunity to keep memory evergreen.

I’m not white or indigenous but I really liked this movie even though it really made me sad for these people. The amount of pain you see in Molly broke my heart. As a human we need to acknowledge each other and be better.

It’s sad that our complicity is interwoven in our everyday lives. Every time we make a purchase, go to work etc we’re complicit in exploiting someone. I heard this story on NPR some years ago and was moved to tears. We have so much to atone for. Thank you for your perspective.

I just wanted to say, the film brought me here, and I listen and learn. You suggested other native reviews, and I'll go listen and learn. In the end, history has been revealed and the critics provide perspectives that broaden my education and that I'm thankful for. I don't think any film can depict 100% the horror all Native people have had and continue to have to endure, but it's a start. It took 100 years and that's another reflection on how this country "white washes" education. Hopefully, parents who watch this film, will talk about the story they seen and heard with this film. We need to educate our children about all atrocities perpetuated to get money and power. IMHO.

Japanese viewer here, I’m so glad I came across your video because it just felt icky to only engage with white American and Japanese commentaries Side-note: I saw a Japanese comment saying that “the ending scene looked like it was the god(wahkanda) perspective watching over the beautiful flower moons that is, the Osage people. and I had to cry for some reason.” This comment was very beautiful so I thought I’d share:)

Thank you for this thoughtful review. I read the book a number of years ago, and while it didn’t read as “white savior” per se, the story was “in the service of” illustrating how the FBI was created. As a film, the story was “in the service of” - as you say -- of holding up a historic mirror to non-native audience. In terms of storytelling, I wonder if Scorceci could have done both - told a parallel POV, where the story is seen from the Osage perspective and from them “protagonist/villain” perspective, switching back and forth and having the audience piece it together. That’s what we need to do as a nation; reconcile the reality of history with the kind of society we want to create now, just like the German people had to come to terms with their Nazi past. Anyway, kinda thinking aloud about how you tell stories like this. Thanks again for your compelling review

This was a great review...and a testament to any great film making. It sparks conversation and introspection. I myself have known a bit of this story, but never took the time to deep dive into it. Thank you for the perspective and sharing your insight. I enjoyed the movie myself, and Lily Gladstone is a treasure. As someone who has been to Tulsa to see the park dedicated to Black Wallstreet, I would love to see some kind of memorial dedicated to the the people impacted by what happened in this story. As someone who enjoys the movies and goes frequently I appreciate what Martin did with this film and the fact that he was able to share this story to a larger audience. Also.. If I hear one more comment about the "run time:" lol. Just sit down and enjoy the movie. Hopefully you'll learn something from it.

Thanks for your insights! As an Austrian who has grown up learning about the banality of evil this really hits home. I really get why your mad about people being ignorant about the crimes of their peers, we have just the same kind of people who downplay or ignore the past. On a positive note, I love that modern technology lets us connect like that. Without KZfaq I would have never found a native perspective on this film.

You raise so many important points. I have not seen the movie, but have read the book and researched the story. It is unbelievable that the deaths and the guardianships were so ignored by the community, and in fact, that so many people were complicit in covering up the crimes. I had relatives who were involved in the oil industry in the 1920s and 1930s in Oklahoma, so I am taking a more in depth look at my family history. I am appalled at the treatment of the Osage people and wish that we knew and had learned more about this atrocity. Thank you for your review and you insights.

I’m so happy I found tour page! As a white, 46, year old Mom, I have never been taught this history! So when I watch a film like this, I need to tear it apart after! I want details! I want the “why”, on each detail! I love your explanation! You’re asking and answering every thought I have!

You are amazing at describing your views and feelings on a a flick I want to see. You're very open and honest and so happy to hear your views. You made me think about a couple of things I hadn't really considered. Keep up the good work!

I left the theatre feeling a mixture of sadness, anger and relief. Sadness and anger because of the pure disregard to life but relief because truth was told, some light was shed on these issues that needed to come to light no matter how uncomfortable, the truth was told. I am not native, and I can't identify with these issues that have plagued the natives since foreigners encroached upon this land, but I know empathy and I know charity. It was a different time back then and societal norms were very heavy on racism, bigotry and pure hate. I get that but the total disregard for life is something I just can't get past. My heart is filled with sadness for my native brothers and sisters, but I am also glad to see that this film was made with respect and reverence that it deserved. Thank you for your insight and review.

Thank you so much for sharing youe POV, which has really enriched my experience of the film. As a viewer from Portugal, me and my friends left the theatre really wanting to know more about the Osage and their history. There was also some context we had to go research after, because it's not explained exactly what indian reservations are and etc, so some references throughout the film were a bit lost for non-americans maybe. But it was a great watch and I absolutely loved every moment where we got to see more of indigenous culture. The final shot was a masterpiece.

As a Seneca nation man when they showed the Owl (forebearer of death) it struck me. My mother who was born in 1921 spoke of this owl sighting before her death. So this hit home hard. :pve the movie and this review.

I would prefer to watch movies with grains of truth or possibly not the entire truth that capture the ambiance and the temperature of the period in history. I hope that Scorsese makes more passion projects. Because people will go out to the theaters to watch them. Regardless, this story is an important story to tell and there are so many other stories out there that deserve to be told on the silver screen by or with a large name attached to it. Merely for the reason that people will go out to the theaters to watch it like I said before. I have not seen this movie yet but I cannot wait to see it! History most definitely matters and I'd prefer to see more historical being made by Hollywood. Fiction of course is great. I'd prefer deeper true stories to be told, especially about America. They are so many historical events that we were never taught in school growing up. There is so much history that hasn't been told that deserves to see the light of day! Thank you for your great review. I just subscribed.

New sub! Greetings from Ireland! So glad to have discovered your channel. I really appreciate your review. I just saw the movie and I’m now reading the book. I thought the movie was excellent in many ways. And Lily Gladstone was absolutely compelling. The pipe burial ceremony was incredible, the Osage mourning how their culture would be changed / devastated by the discovery of the oil was incredibly wrenching and really set the context for the world. I really wished we had seen more of the Osage world in general. The book explains how paranoia and fear gripped the community in a way that is not shown in the film. The interplay of cultures was fascinating and I think there was a missed opportunity here. Mollie going to Catholic Church while also observing her own tradition’s spirituality, Mollie and Ernest getting married within the Osage tradition, and the naming of the children. I would love to have seen more of this. I lived in California for some years on Chumash and Weott land. For white people (especially white Americans) I hope this film serves as a way in to learning more about the history of the land they now live on. There are so many stories right there. It seems like the filmmakers have accepted the criticism with grace. I felt like that ending was Scorsese admitting his limitations in telling this story. Really appreciate your review.