Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese latest movie, stands among the most anticipated movies of 2023. Adapted from David Grann’s bestselling book, the film delves into the gripping narrative of the Osage Murders, a string of enigmatic deaths that unfolded in Oklahoma during the 1920s. Paramount & Apple’s Killers of the Flower Moon grossed an estimated $9.4M domestically on Friday (from 3,628 locations), including Thursday previews.
The movie follows Ernest Burkhart (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) as a rancher who married into the powerful Osage Nation. After oil was discovered on Osage lands, Burkhart began a conspiracy to eliminate the Osage people so he could inherit their land.
What is Killers of the Flower Moon Release Date?
The highly-anticipated film Killers of the Flower Moon made its North American theatrical debut on October 20th, 2023. It will also be available in IMAX formats.
The film was originally planned to be released in limited theaters on October 6th, 2023 before expanding to all North American locations on October 20th. The movie made its world premiere at the May 20th 2023 Cannes Film Festival where it was out of competition for the first time.
Killers of the Flower Moon Trailer
In the Killers Of The Flower Moon trailer, which dropped on Apple TV’s YouTube channel on the 18th of May 2023, DiCaprio’s character, Ernest burkhart, speaks a few sentences in a southern dialect. This is part of the narrative, which lasts for a little over two minutes.
Killers of the Flower Moon Cast
Scorsese brought some of his most well-known and beloved actors on board, including his Oscar-winning co-stars and fellow Academy Award winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert de Niro.
There are few pairs of actors and directors who have achieved the level of success and fame that Scorsese has enjoyed with De Niro, and this marks their 10th film together (11th if you include the 2015 short film The Audition). They first worked together on the 1973 film Mean Streets, and since then have directed such acclaimed films as Taxi Driver, New York, and Raging Bull (for which De Niro won his second best actor Oscar), as well as The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Casino, and The Irishman.
De Niro stars as William Hale, a feared cattle rancher accused of murdering wealthy Osage tribe members in a series of contract killings. This marks their 10th film together and continues their storied film career.
In addition to Plemons, who stars as FBI Agent Tom White, the movie also features Academy Award winner John Lithgow as prosecutor Leaward, who seeks to frame Hale for Hale’s murder. Lithgow and Plemons have worked together before, with Plemons appearing on Scorsese’s The Irishman in the role of Chuckie O’Brien.
DiCaprio playing Burkhart (Plemons was originally cast as Tom White, but switched to Burkhart after Plemons asked for the role). Lily Gladstone will also star in the film as Mollie (first cow) Burkhart’s (Plemons) wife, Mollie (Gladstone) Osage. The film also stars recent Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser in the role of lawyer W. S. Hamilton.
Who is Making Killers of the Flower Moon?
Renowned director Martin Scorsese, an Academy Award winner, is at the helm of this project. The script for movie about Osage Indians is co-written by Scorsese and Erik Roth, another Oscar winner famous for Forrest Gump. Scorsese reunites with his trusted collaborators, including cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, who received three Oscar nominations for The Aviator and worked on The Wolf of Wall Street. The film’s musical score is composed by long-time Scorsese collaborator Robbie Robertson.
Not only directing, but Scorsese also serves as an executive producer alongside Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, and Daniel Lupi. The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, and the production involved Indigenous actors for Osage characters in a culturally respectful manner, with the tribe’s approval. Chad Renfro, the Osage Tribe’s film ambassador, and Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear contributed to the project as well.
What is the Plot of Killers of the Flower Moon?
In 1921, the FBI, led by agent Tom White, uncovered a plot to eliminate at least sixty Osage tribe members between 1921 and 1925. The Osage Indian tribe of Oklahoma had been granted the rights to benefit from the vast oil reserves found on their land at the end of the 19th century. This wealth had made the tribe one of the richest in the world, but it also raised concerns with the federal government who appointed white guardians to help manage the tribe’s finances.
This wealth had also caused envy among neighboring communities. In 1921, the situation escalated to violence when the body of an Osage woman found in the woods was discovered. At least sixty wealthy members of the tribe died in 1925. The plot was revealed to be the work of William Hale, a local cattleman, who had arranged for his nephew Ernest burkhart to be married to Mollie kile, an Osage woman.
Racial injustice, murder, treachery, and greed are at the core of the film, which is sure to be a thrilling and suspenseful exploration of the darkest corners of human nature under the direction of Martin scorsese.
What are Critics Saying About Martin Scorsese Movie?
The film has been praised by critics for its grandeur, strong performances, and unflinching exploration of a dark period in American history. The Guardian‘s Peter Bradshaw gave it five stars out of five, calling it “a masterpiece.”
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman called it, “a grand, sprawling epic Western crime thriller that’s both timely and timeless.”
Some critics have taken to X/Twitter to praise the movie and urges people to watch the movie.
How long is Killers of the Flower Moon?
Killers of the Flower Moon has a known length of about three and a half hours, with the final cut clocking in at 3 hours and 26 minutes, including credits. This cuts it down to a few minutes less than Martin Scorsese’s longest narrative film.
In a recent interview with The Hindustan Times, the famed filmmaker justified the lengthy running duration of his latest Western drama. “People say it’s three hours, but come on,” Scorsese said. “You can sit in front of the TV and watch something for five hours. Also, there are many people who watch theatre for 3.5 hours. There are real actors on stage, you can’t get up and walk around. You give it that respect, give cinema some respect.”
Ending Notes
Killers of the Flower Moon is one of the most anticipated films of 2023. With its star-studded cast, its epic scope, and its unflinching look at a dark chapter in American history, the film is sure to be a must-see for fans of cinema.
