Killers of the Flower Moon
Based on real 1920s murders of wealthy Osage Nation members in Oklahoma
The brief
Scorsese turns the Osage murders into a slow-burn epic that feels less like a crime thriller and more like watching evil unfold in real time through the eyes of its perpetrators. At nearly three and a half hours, it's deliberately paced and heavy, with De Niro slithering through every scene while Lily Gladstone anchors the film with a performance that's all quiet strength and devastating vulnerability. DiCaprio plays against type as a weak, manipulated man rather than his usual charismatic leads, and it's unsettling in the best way. If you loved The Irishman's meditative approach to violence and moral rot, or you're drawn to historical dramas that don't shy away from America's ugliest truths, this will hit hard.
The verdict
If you have the patience for Scorsese's deliberate, nearly three-and-a-half-hour examination of historical evil and appreciate character studies that prioritize moral complexity over traditional thrills, this is essential viewing anchored by powerhouse performances from De Niro and Lily Gladstone. If you prefer faster-paced narratives or want your historical dramas to feel less like watching America's ugliest truths unfold in real time, you'll find this exhausting rather than rewarding.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for full immersion in this heavy historical drama
- ⚠️ Avoid with those seeking lighter entertainment
Heads up
- Multiple murders and violence against Indigenous people (frequent)
- Domestic abuse and manipulation (moderate)
- Racial violence and systematic oppression (frequent)
- Death by poisoning (extended sequences) (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser
We Reviewed This Film
Dive deeper into what makes this film special with our in-depth analysis.
Read Full ReviewOfficial synopsis
When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one—until
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Both expose systematic genocide through personal stories of greed and survival.
Total runtime: 3h 26m + 2h 02m = 5h 28m
