mashupch.com – Martin Scorsese is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema, with a career spanning over five decades and an iconic collection of films. His works often explore complex themes such as guilt, redemption, morality, and the darker sides of human nature. With Killers of the Flower Moon, Scorsese ventures into new territory by bringing to light a dark chapter of American history—the Osage Nation murders in 1920s Oklahoma. Based on David Grann’s non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, the film chronicles the systemic exploitation and brutal killings of the Osage people during a period of intense racial and economic turmoil.
This article will explore the historical background of the Osage Nation murders, the key elements of Scorsese’s adaptation, and how the film shines a light on the forgotten injustices of early 20th-century America. It will also examine the performances by the cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, and how the film handles themes of greed, betrayal, and systemic racism.
The Osage Murders: A Tragic and Overlooked Chapter in American History
In the early 20th century, the Osage Nation, a Native American tribe that had been relocated to Oklahoma, became one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. The Osage were sitting on valuable land that held immense oil reserves, and as the oil boom took off, the tribe reaped the rewards. In the 1920s, Osage individuals were among the richest people in the world, and their newfound wealth made them targets for exploitation and violence.
However, their prosperity came at a deadly cost. As their fortunes grew, so did the exploitation and deception that accompanied it. White settlers and businessmen, eager to gain access to the Osage wealth, began a systematic campaign of murder, deceit, and fraud to steal land and oil rights from the Osage people. This culminated in a series of horrific murders, known as the Osage Reign of Terror, where dozens of Osage were killed or poisoned under mysterious circumstances. Many of these deaths were attributed to the greed of white settlers, who used marriage, manipulation, and even outright murder to gain control of the Osage’s oil wealth.
The story is an unsettling account of systemic racism, as the Osage were not only victimized by individuals but also by a society that ignored their rights and allowed the exploitation to flourish. It was not until the newly-formed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took interest in the case, with the assistance of an undercover investigation led by agent Tom White, that justice began to be sought. However, by that time, many lives had already been lost.
Killers of the Flower Moon explores this period of American history, presenting the murders of the Osage people and their fight for justice in a devastating and thorough narrative. Scorsese’s film delves into the motivations behind the murders, the consequences of greed, and the institutional racism that enabled such horrors to persist.
The Adaptation: Scorsese’s Approach to Telling the Story
Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Killers of the Flower Moon is a powerful exploration of a traumatic and largely forgotten episode in American history. The film stays true to David Grann’s book, meticulously detailing the systematic nature of the crimes and the characters involved. What makes the film stand out, however, is Scorsese’s ability to balance the historical accuracy with his signature storytelling style, bringing a human face to a story that is too often relegated to the periphery of mainstream history.
Scorsese’s approach to the material is marked by his characteristic attention to detail and his deep exploration of moral complexity. Much like his previous films, the director is drawn to stories that examine human behavior—particularly the darker, more destructive aspects. Killers of the Flower Moon presents a chilling portrait of the depths to which individuals will go in the pursuit of wealth and power, and it doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths about racism and injustice that have plagued American society for centuries.
At the same time, Scorsese doesn’t present the film as a simple tale of good versus evil. The story is nuanced, examining the motivations behind each character’s actions while never losing sight of the real-world consequences. Scorsese shows how those in power—whether through societal influence or direct violence—systematically dismantled the lives of the Osage people in an effort to secure their riches.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro: A Powerful Duo
The cast of Killers of the Flower Moon is led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, both of whom are veteran actors with a long history of working with Scorsese. DiCaprio plays Ernest Burkhardt, a key figure in the Osage murders who is both a participant in and a witness to the growing conspiracy. De Niro portrays William Hale, a wealthy and manipulative businessman who orchestrates many of the murders and abuses his power to control the Osage wealth.
DiCaprio’s portrayal of Ernest is a study in internal conflict and moral decay. At the film’s start, Ernest is portrayed as a simple man who marries an Osage woman, Mollie Kyle (played by Lily Gladstone), in part because of her wealth. However, as the murders unfold, DiCaprio reveals the gradual erosion of Ernest’s conscience. He is drawn into the conspiracy, but it is clear that he is conflicted about his involvement. DiCaprio captures Ernest’s complicity, fear, and ultimate realization of the enormity of the crimes he’s a part of.
De Niro’s performance as William Hale is equally captivating. Hale is a deeply charismatic and manipulative figure, able to hide his ruthlessness behind a façade of charm and affability. De Niro, a master of portraying complex characters, delivers a chilling portrayal of a man who is willing to do anything to maintain his power and control, no matter the cost. Hale’s villainy is insidious, rooted in his desire for wealth and influence, and De Niro brings a cold, calculating menace to the role.
Together, DiCaprio and De Niro create a dynamic that drives the emotional core of the film. Their performances contrast the innocence and vulnerability of the Osage people, particularly Mollie Kyle, with the cruelty of the men who would stop at nothing to destroy them. The interactions between Ernest and Hale demonstrate the moral decay that occurs when greed and power go unchecked.
A Dark Examination of Greed and Racism
Killers of the Flower Moon is not just a recounting of historical events—it is a poignant exploration of the themes of greed, corruption, and systemic racism. Throughout the film, Scorsese focuses on the moral rot that underpins the actions of the perpetrators of the Osage murders. The film examines how individuals will justify their actions to themselves, rationalizing their greed and violent actions as acceptable within a corrupt system.
At its heart, the story is a tragic commentary on the dispossession of Native Americans. The Osage murders reflect a larger pattern of systemic violence and theft that targeted Native communities throughout the history of the United States. Scorsese does not shy away from exposing the racial hierarchies that allowed such crimes to flourish, nor does he downplay the brutality of the murders themselves. The film makes it clear that the Osage were not simply victims of individual killers but were systematically targeted by a culture of corruption that existed at every level of society.
Racism plays a central role in the film, particularly in how the Osage people are treated by the authorities and the broader American society. Despite the fact that the Osage were among the wealthiest people in the country, they were treated as inferior by the white settlers and businessmen who sought to exploit them. This cultural and racial divide is a constant backdrop throughout the film, and it highlights the ways in which the Osage were dehumanized, not just by individual killers but by a society that allowed the murders to take place.
In addition to the murders, the film also highlights the complicity of local law enforcement and the broader judicial system. The Osage people were often ignored or misrepresented by the authorities, and it was only with the intervention of the FBI that any attempt at justice was made. Scorsese’s film highlights the fundamental flaws in the justice system of the time and underscores the inherent challenges faced by marginalized communities in seeking redress for the crimes committed against them.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Historical Filmmaking
Killers of the Flower Moon is a haunting, powerful film that shines a light on a dark chapter of American history that has long been overlooked. Martin Scorsese’s direction, combined with the gripping performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, creates a poignant and unsettling narrative that resonates with audiences today. The film is an unflinching examination of greed, racism, and the systemic exploitation that defined the early 20th century.
Through the lens of this tragic true story, Killers of the Flower Moon offers a sobering reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the toll that greed can take on both individuals and entire communities. The Osage Nation murders may have been buried in the annals of history, but Scorsese’s film ensures that their story is not forgotten. As a work of historical filmmaking, it is both a testament to the resilience of the Osage people and a reflection on the deep injustices that continue to shape the world today.
