Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) - Film Review

After a two-year long wait, it's finally here.

Scorsese's latest film premiered at Cannes 2023 but did not participate in the main competition. Some say if it did, Anatomy of a Fall (2023) might not have taken that top prize.

Still of Lily Gladstone (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Credit: Apple, and Paramount Pictures

Starring Scorsese-usuals Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro and first-time collaborating, Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon (KOTFM) tells the story of the Osage murders in the 1920's from the perspectives of the Burkhart family. You might not believe it, but this is the first time which saw Scorsese, DiCaprio and De Niro all three together in the same film even though both the actors have worked with Scorsese for decades now.

First thought as I walked out of the cinema was quite simply, Scorsese did it again. At the age of 81, he remains fully current in the art of filmmaking and may just still be the greatest living movie director in the world. Diving deeper into the film, unlike Oppenheimer (2023), KOTFM DID feel over three hours long, and accurately, especially in comparison to Oppenheimer in terms of pacing, it's noticeably slower and less dialogue-packed. However, the real catch is that KOTFM can make the audience feel the 3.5 hours runtime BUT not think that it's too long or draggy. Nothing shown in KOTFM was unnecessary or irrelevant.

Martin Scorsese and film editor Thelma Schoonmaker (right) at the premiere of Killers of the Flower Moon at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York City on Sept. 27, 2023
Credit: Hindustan Times

The use of flashbacks and all the different revelations in the last third of the film were about just the right amount and all tidily put together. Scorsese's longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker certainly eyes the editing awards come 2024. In any case, at this point in time where both Scorsese and Schoonmaker have been seasoned in their respective fields and who have collaborated for over forty years now, really it's nothing new or surprising seeing them churn out top-notch work.

Still of Robert De Niro (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Credit: Apple, and Paramount Pictures

The same could be said for the two starring gentlemen under Scorsese's direction. Despite this being the first time all three men collaborate on the same film together, the performances, dynamics and chemistry between DiCaprio and De Niro, AND Scorsese off-camera, felt so natural and balanced. And while neither of the gentlemen's turns could be considered their respective careers' best, there doesn't seem a need for them to be anyway. It is totally foreseeable that this film bags the SAG ensemble award next season but none of the individual awards for its actors.

Still of Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Credit: Apple, and Paramount Pictures

Lily Gladstone - a quiet and subtle performance that's equally powerful as her male counterparts. Just weeks ago, Gladstone confirmed her awards-campaigning switch from the supporting actress category to lead actress. After having seen the film, it's actually not easy to categorize her in either. Her screen time and attachments to the overall narrative are too long and strong to be considered a supporting performance, yet her presence and the effect of her character's actions and motivations on propelling the narrative do not match that of DiCaprio or even De Niro's. Nevertheless, this switch unquestionably makes the upcoming awards season more interesting, because, as if the lead actress category isn't already stacked enough, Gladstone's move just tightened the race further. Of course, her move also makes the supporting actress race more open and up in the air, whereby there's no clear frontrunner as of now in the 2023/24 movie-year.

Film still from Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Credit: Apple, and Paramount Pictures

On to the technical aspects, apart from Schoonmaker's superb editing, production design, costume design, score, cinematography and make-up & hairstyling are all likely in contention of nominations and wins next year as well. Production design, in particular, might rival the Barbenheimer duo, then again, between these three, 1 is a fantasy and 2 are period pieces, which the Academy likes generally. The score was also interesting - optimizing the indigenous elements and pretty well-spread throughout the movie with a consistent beat that's easy to remember. Scorsese's films don't usually shine in the music department but who knows what could happen next year?

If I had to forego all talk and single out one aspect of the film to praise apart from directing it has to be the screenplay. Roth and Scorsese truly took their own sweet time with telling the story - but more importantly, the audience got to witness the Osage People's perspective thoroughly: how they react, how they think and how they feel, rather than a one-dimensional portrayal of the crimes and deaths. And as mentioned at the start, yes it's 3.5 hours but it was every minute and every scene well spent and executed. First screenplay Oscar for Scorsese?

It hurts knowing that there will be pockets of people fed up with the runtime no matter what. While indeed it could cause pain to the bladder watching KOTFM, anybody from a casual moviegoer who appreciates good films to a true cinephile or a Scorsese-fan, please don't miss this just because of the runtime. I happily gave 4.5 stars on Letterboxd to Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).

You may also watch my YouTube film review for KOTFM on my channel. Update: I have delayed my YouTube channel's launch to the next awards season (2024/2025), you may refer to my latest post here to understand why.