Killers of the Flower Moon is a movie set to release October 20th 2023. In this article, we aim to explain the story behind the movie. This article also explores the trailers, and what we know about the movie.
The movie is based on a true story. It follows how oil brought fortune to the Osage Nation, making them some of the richest people in the world overnight. This sudden wealth given to the Native Americans attracted white interlopers who were also hoping to make a fortune. In their efforts, they manipulated, extorted, and stole as much as they could from the Osage Nation.
Members of the Osage Tribe in northeastern Oklahoma are then murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s. The BOI, now known as the FBI, launches an investigation lead by 29-year-old J. Edgar Hoover and Texas Ranger Tom White.
The movie is described as “an epic Western crime saga”, following the romance between Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mollie Kyle, played by Lily Gladstone. The movie is also said to be about “where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal”.
Other cast members include Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser, Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, and Jillian Dion. Killers of the Flower Moon is directed by Academy Award Winner Martin Scorsese. Scorsese also wrote the screenplay alongside Eric Roth, based on David Grann’s book of the same name.
What Else Do We Know About Killers of the Flower Moon?
Development of the film began in 2016. Imperative Entertainment won the film adaptation rights to the book. Production was planned to initially start in 2018, but was pushed back and delayed due to the pandemic. Production was instead scheduled for 2021, with both Apple TV and Paramount set to distribute the picture.
Scorsese traveled to Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in 2019 to speak with Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear to discuss how the Osage Nation could be involved in the film’s production. Standing Bear said he was thankful that someone was willing to tell the story.
Filming started in 2021 and took place in Oklahoma. Principal photography started April 19th, and filming wrapped on October 1st 2021. In January 2023, it was said that the input of the Osage Nation greatly changed Scorsese’s original vision of the film. The collaboration is said to have had a positive influence, with an interview at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival quoting “The work is better when you let the world inform your work.”
Killers of the Flower Moon had its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20 2023. The film received a nine-minute long standing ovation at the end of the screening. It was originally going to be released to limited theatres on October 6th, but this was scrapped in favor of going wide in United States on October 20th.
The film is based on the 2017 novel of the same name, written by David Grann. The book has reviewed many good reviews from literary critics. Many have praised Grann and his telling of “a forgotten chapter in American History”.
When Is It Released?
Killers of the Flower Moon will be released October 20 2023 by Apple TV+ and Paramount Pictures. The film will also be screened in IMAX theaters as well as a streaming release on Apple TV+, though the exact date has not been released yet.
What are your thoughts on Killers of the Flower Moon? Will you be watching this film in theaters, or waiting for the streaming release? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
