The Corruption of the American Dream: Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon Review (2023)

What happens when justice becomes the ghost haunting history—ignored, manipulated, and buried? Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon centres on the Osage people, unearthing a chilling chapter of exploitation and murder that forces us to confront the foundations of the so-called American Dream.

Killers of the Flower Moon Movie Poster

In Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese does more than recount a historical atrocity—he dismantles the myth of the American Dream, exposing its foundation of exploitation and violence. This is not merely a film about murder and greed; it is a searing exploration of systemic corruption and the moral decay of a nation that prioritizes profit over humanity.

Set in 1920s Oklahoma, the film illuminates the tragic story of the Osage Nation, a Native American tribe catapulted to immense wealth through the discovery of oil on their land. Their prosperity, however, painted targets on their backs, as the mechanisms of white supremacy worked to strip them of their wealth—and their lives. Adapted from David Grann’s investigative book, the film chronicles the chilling conspiracy to annihilate members of the Osage Nation, a scheme masterminded by William “King” Hale (Robert De Niro) and abetted by his nephew, Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and  his Osage wife, Mollie (Lily Gladstone)

At its heart, Killers of the Flower Moon is a study of moral compromise and complicity. Ernest’s relationship with his Osage wife, Mollie (Lily Gladstone), becomes the film’s most devastating thread. DiCaprio portrays Ernest not as a villain but as a weak, malleable man who succumbs to Hale’s machinations, illustrating how greed and loyalty to power can obliterate personal integrity. Gladstone’s Mollie, by contrast, is a figure of quiet resilience, embodying the strength of a community under siege. Her performance is haunting, revealing the toll of systemic betrayal on both an intimate and cultural scale.

The film’s themes reach beyond the horrors inflicted on the Osage people, serving as an allegory for the corruption embedded in the American Dream. Scorsese masterfully lays bare the mechanisms of exploitation, showing how institutions—from local law enforcement to federal authorities—were complicit in the Osage murders. The pursuit of wealth, framed as an emblem of American success, is shown here as a weapon of destruction, wielded against those deemed expendable.

Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart

Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography amplifies this dichotomy. The expansive Oklahoma landscapes, with their serene beauty, stand in stark contrast to the brutality of human greed. Prieto’s earthy palette and deliberate framing evoke a sense of isolation and vulnerability, capturing the fragility of the Osage people amid an indifferent world. The visual storytelling underscores the film’s central tension: the clash between the natural order and the human corruption that seeks to dominate it.

Robbie Robertson’s evocative score deepens the film’s emotional resonance, blending Native American instrumentation with dissonant modern tones. The music becomes a haunting backdrop, a sonic reminder of both cultural richness and irrevocable loss.

Osage Sisters with their Mother, Lizzie posing for a photographer in traditional garments

What makes Killers of the Flower Moon truly thought-provoking is its insistence on confronting uncomfortable truths. Scorsese’s lens forces viewers to reckon with the enduring legacy of systemic injustice. The film doesn’t offer easy resolutions or comforting narratives; instead, it demands accountability. The Osage murders were not just a historical anomaly but a microcosm of a larger pattern of erasure and exploitation that persists to this day.

For Native American audiences, the film serves as an act of remembrance, a refusal to let their history be buried. For others, it is a stark reminder of the cost of silence and the dangers of complicity. The story of the Osage is not just about the past; it’s a warning about the present and the future.

Ernest meets up with Mollie after incarceration

More than a historical drama, Killers of the Flower Moon is a moral indictment. It asks us to consider who benefits from the American Dream and who pays the price. Through meticulous storytelling, profound performances, and an unflinching gaze, Scorsese ensures that the Osage story will not fade into obscurity. In doing so, he transforms their tragedy into a powerful call for truth, remembrance, and justice.

The Osage Kyle Sisters (From left: Rita Smith, Anna Brown, Mollie Burkhart, and Minnie Smith)

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Behind the Scenes: Scorsese and Schoonmaker’s Timeless Collaboration

For cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers, Killers of the Flower Moon offers a masterclass in storytelling—not just on screen, but in the editing room. At the heart of Scorsese’s cinematic brilliance is his five-decade collaboration with editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Their partnership is a testament to the power of trust and shared vision in filmmaking.

Schoonmaker approaches each Scorsese film with a deep understanding of his creative intent, shaping raw footage into a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is technically flawless. In Killers of the Flower Moon, her work is particularly evident in the pacing—allowing scenes to breathe when they need to, while cutting ruthlessly in moments of tension. It’s this intuitive balance that keeps the audience engaged for the film’s three-and-a-half-hour runtime.

The collaboration between Scorsese and Schoonmaker also reflects the importance of relationships in filmmaking. Just as Scorsese’s trust in Schoonmaker allows her to take creative risks, her dedication to his vision ensures that each film feels uniquely his. For aspiring filmmakers, their partnership is a reminder that behind every great director is a team of collaborators who bring their artistry to the table.

Killers of the Flower Moon isn’t just a film; it’s an act of remembrance and a demand for accountability. By peeling back the layers of greed and corruption that fuelled the Osage murders, Scorsese has created a work that is as much about the present as it is about the past. It’s a film that will provoke, inspire, and stay with you long after the credits roll.

If you’re ready to confront the ghosts of history and question the foundations of the American Dream, this is a story you can’t afford to miss.