Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio. Robert De Niro. Put these three film veterans in a room and you get the slice of brilliance that is Killers of the Flower Moon. This Western crime drama is a juggernaut of a film, based on the 2017 non-fiction book of the same name, exploring the murders committed against the Osage people of the oil-rich Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma.
Obviously the star calibre behind this film should be an indication of what’s to come, but not even I was prepared for the greatness I was about to witness. Scorsese has paired with DiCaprio and De Niro separately on multiple occasions, and now that we’ve seen the trio come together, I only wish we got to see them link up a few more times in the years passed. Nevertheless, we have it now and it’s wonderful. Killers of the Flower Moon proves once again that Scorsese is a master storyteller – the narrative he’s crafted is phenomenal right down to the tiniest of details. It’s an enormous film, sitting at nearly 3.5 hours with credits, but Scorsese uses every minute and every second to perfection. From the opening few sequences he hits you with the brutality, emotional impact and importance of this story. There aren’t many films I can name where I was so wholeheartedly gripped so early. On top of that, there aren’t many I can name that never let up, even for a second, but this is one of them. The slow-burn, emotionally distressing story moves along at the perfect pace for what it’s wanting to convey. I can’t see this story being told to this level in any shorter runtime – it gives the big moments room to breathe while allowing the smaller beats to stand out amongst the crowd.
The depth and complexity of the story is immense, with a cavalcade of characters popping in and out and tonnes of names being thrown around. While that can easily become overwhelming, Scorsese does an exceptional job at ensuring everything is easily digestible while not spoon-feeding information. This comes down to the dialogue, where every line is expertly crafted by writers Scorsese and Eric Roth. There’s not a conversation in this film that feels wasted and not a moment that gives you the feeling you could rush off to the toilet. Scorsese spends every scene moving pieces and setting up what’s to come, with dialogue that is important for character growth, motivations and plot development. Nearly every conversation is lined with nuances and subtle bouts of foreshadowing that showcase the forethought that’s gone into crafting this spectacle. Without a doubt an Oscar nomination is coming for Adapted Screenplay, though it will be a tough race with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer also up there.
Another element of the film that Scorsese effortlessly handles is how the narrative isn’t led by the heroes, but the villains. Our leads are far from the honourable citizens you’d expect a narrative to follow, though Scorsese sets them up in a way that they’re still fascinating and we’re drawn to them. Take DiCaprio’s Ernest Burkhart for example, he’s a complex individual with many conflicting motivations and a unique personality that’s hard to get a grip on. His moral compass may be out of whack, but finding out what makes him tick and what his ultimate motivations are is one of the film’s greatest unspoken mysteries. Scorsese’s handling of this character, along with everyone else in the ensemble is world-class – it’s hard, if not impossible, to pinpoint a character who doesn’t fit the mould.
Scorsese’s writing is one thing, but it’s the performances behind the characters that really bring them to life. First, let’s give it up for Leonardo DiCaprio who delivers yet another captivating lead performance to add to his repertoire. This man never misses – it’s wild to think that an actor of his level with so many iconic roles to his name can still disappear into roles like this. Throughout this entire film I was constantly stunned by his dialogue-heavy scenes, in which he expertly sells the complex array of emotions his character is going through, especially later in the film. The nuances in his performance really bring an authenticity to the character that only enhances the immersion. Speaking of legends of the screen, Robert De Niro is just phenomenal. There is not a single redeemable quality about his character, yet I couldn’t help but love seeing De Niro bring one of the most vile human beings to life in William Hale. The strength of his performance and conviction in every line is a sight to behold, he’s a commanding presence who steals the limelight on more than one occasion.
Among the powerhouse names of DiCaprio and De Niro is Lily Gladstone, who plays Mollie Burkhart in a leading role. All I can say is… where has she been hiding? On more than one occasion she goes toe to toe with DiCaprio and even shines brighter in a number of tough, emotion-heavy scenes. Right from her introductory scene, I knew her performance was going to be something special. Her soft spoken voice and calm demeanour makes her character the heart and soul of the film. So when she’s inevitably put through the ringer, the emotional impact is through the roof as you can see how much these experiences are deeply affecting her. Among the list of supporting roles that also greatly deliver are Jesse Plemons and Scott Shepherd, with Plemons especially making an immediate impact with very limited screentime.
The list of technical achievements in this film is plentiful, but none more impactful than Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography. This is a beautifully shot and stunningly framed film that captures the environment and landscape of the Osage Nation in the best way possible. From interior shots to the sweeping landscapes of Oklahoma, it’s utterly breathtaking to look at. What makes the cinematography so impactful is that despite this being an epic film, it’s filmed very intimately. It doesn’t go grand and bombastic with the scale, moreso keeping the focus to a human level to really hone in on the emotional impact of the film’s events. While it’s hard to see something beating Oppenheimer in this Oscar category, this certainly has the best chance.
In the end, Killers of the Flower Moon is nothing short of one of 2023’s best. Martin Scorsese has crafted yet another piece of cinematic brilliance that’s every bit as phenomenal as you’d expect. From the incredible story and characters to exceptional dialogue and cinematography, all the puzzle pieces fall seamlessly into place. Captivating from the beginning to end, with stellar performances from DiCaprio, De Niro and Gladstone, this is a must-watch crime drama that’s bound to make a splash this awards season.
9.7/10
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