Actress Devery Jacobs, best known for her role in Reservation Dogs, has shared her share of criticism for Martin Scorsese‘s latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, through social media. While the movie has received critical acclaim, it has also faced backlash from Indigenous communities.
In her candid assessment, Jacobs described the film as “painful, grueling, unrelenting, and needlessly graphic,” particularly distressing for Native viewers who had to witness the historical atrocities against their ancestors. While she lauded the performances of Indigenous actors in the film, she felt that their characters were overshadowed by the more developed white characters.
Jacobs expressed her concern that the film’s graphic depiction of violence against Native characters could inadvertently normalize such violence and further dehumanize Indigenous people. She called for a more balanced portrayal of Indigenous communities that emphasizes their rich cultures, languages, joy, and love rather than focusing solely on their historical trauma.
Additionally, Jacobs advocated for Indigenous filmmakers to have the opportunity to tell their own stories, and she questioned whether, after a century of film portrayals, this film truly provided the representation that Indigenous communities needed.
Despite Jacobs’ critique, it’s worth noting that Scorsese had previously acknowledged the importance of centering the Osage people’s perspective in the narrative, moving away from a primarily white-centric viewpoint.
Killers of the Flower Moon has made a significant impact at the box office and is considered a strong contender for the Oscars. However, it has sparked essential discussions about representation and storytelling in the world of cinema.
