Exploring the Anticipation Surrounding Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon: DiCaprio, De Niro, and the Promise of a Martin Scorsese Masterpiece

Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon: An Epic Western Crime Drama

The anticipation is high for the upcoming Western epic, Killers of the Flower Moon, based on David Grann’s 2017 best-selling non-fiction book with the same name. The movie is directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, and reunites him with his longtime muses, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. The trailer sets a dark and ominous tone for the feature, with glimpses of scenes of chaos and violence, that promise to captivate audiences when the movie releases on October 20, 2023.

An ensemble cast and Indigenous representation

The three Oscar winners are joined by an ensemble cast that includes Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone, as well as an array of talented Indigenous actors such as Tantoo Cardinal, Louis Cancelmi, and Tatanka Means, who were cast at Scorsese’s insistence. The film is set in 1920s Oklahoma and tells the true story of the Osage Nation murders over oil rights, and the newly-formed FBI’s investigation into the killings.

DiCaprio’s role and script reconfiguration

DiCaprio stars as Ernest Burkhart, the nephew of a powerful local rancher played by De Niro. Burkhart becomes intertwined in the Osage Nation murders and is married to an Indigenous woman played by Gladstone. Plemons plays Tom White, the lead FBI agent investigating the murders. The film’s script was originally written for DiCaprio to play the FBI agent but the actor reconfigured it and switched roles to play Ernest, who is more morally ambiguous.

Editorial: A masterpiece in the making?

Scorsese, known for his masterpieces such as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and The Irishman, is a celebrated filmmaker with an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. It comes as no surprise that this highly anticipated movie is already creating a buzz with its impressive cast and talented director. The trailer teases a captivating storyline, complemented by stunning cinematography, which promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

While it is too early to predict if Killers of the Flower Moon will become Scorsese’s next masterpiece, the film’s story is based on real events of a dark chapter in American history, which promises to be an engrossing tale of greed, corruption, and violence. The strong performances by DiCaprio, De Niro, and the rest of the cast combined with Scorsese’s breathtaking storytelling make Killers of the Flower Moon a movie to look out for.

Advice: Watch and learn

As the movie releases on October 20, audiences should look forward to watching the film and learning about this dark and often-overlooked chapter in American history. They should approach the movie expecting a captivating story with stunning visuals and performative brilliance, as Scorsese is known for providing an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Finally, while praising Scorsese’s visionary storytelling, we must acknowledge the importance of Indigenous representation in the movie. In an industry that has long been dominated by white actors and directors, the casting of Indigenous actors is a step in the right direction towards more diverse and accurate portrayal of indigenous communities on screen.