As a movie-lover, I have always been very critical of the films I watch. That being said, when the trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon released—I knew I had to see it.

Any movie with the classic legend, Robert de Niro, and the grossly under-awarded Leonardo Dicaprio is bound to be an instant favorite. Even in the trailer, this movie set itself apart from all of the cash-grab action flicks and predictable rom-coms. This was a story of truth and based on the horrific events of how many indigenous people lost their lives due to greedy and selfish white men in want of oil revenue during the Roaring Twenties.

I am elated to say that I was not disappointed. The writing for this movie was brilliant. And while the movie was long, I was tense after every gunfight, argument, and fire that occurred on my screen. I felt my shoulders physically relax when Lily Gladstone’s character appeared. I cried when Dicaprio’s character experienced a tragic loss. I laughed as I watched the wives bicker about their white husbands in front of them in their own beautiful native tongue. And I was frozen with fear at times of peril and murder.

Even though I am a white woman, I could feel the tragedy and rage behind the Osage’s stories. every single cast member crafted their character's story. 

It is rather easy for me to say that this was, by far, Leonardo Dicaprio’s best performance yet. His mannerisms and the faded sly looks in his eyes made his character, Ernet Burkhart. His choices were masterful as I  watched his character go down a path of murder, deceit, and love. 

Robert de Niro… do not even get me started. As always, Niro delivered a brilliant performance as his character, William Hale, led Ernest down a rabbit-hole to a world of lies and sinister crimes so unfathomable that only God could forgive. 

Each performance was absolutely outstanding— but it was Lily Gladstone who stole the entire film for me. Her performance was powerful and moving as we watched her character, Mollie Burkhart, follow Ernest through a journey of painful loss, overwhelming grief, and anxiety. Her eyes looked at the people surrounding her like she was turning through the pages of their own stories, gathering  the information she needed from that person to tell her whether or not they were a person worthy of her time.

The set design and costuming deserves a nod as well. Even as I sat on a couch from 2024, I watched the screen completely time travel back to the 1920’s. The intricate jewelry to the flashy cars of the Roaring Twenties were staples to the story’s narrative. The designs of the people of the town were simple enough—but it was the glorious designs of the Osage Nation that took my breath away. They were traditional, beautiful, but also retained the feel of the era without being too obvious of who these people were during this time of sin and death.

My one and only critique of the film was the length. The movie could have easily made the same impact in two hours. However, I could see how it would be a struggle finding a way to fit all of the beautiful storytelling in. By the end of the movie, I released a long sigh, like I had just finished a wild journey. So if this is what the team had in mind when creating the film, then I will take this critique back.

This film was an instant success and I was outraged when it was snubbed for awards in the academy. But it does not matter. A person holding an Oscar means nothing to the power of this masterpiece. This movie, with its heartbreaking tragedy and soul, has earned itself a place in the hall of movie classics.