Taylor Sheridan's Best Movie Is Still This 9-Year-Old Mystery Thriller Starring Elizabeth Olsen
It's a bone-chilling crime gem from one of the most prominent directors of our time.
Before creating the mega-hit Yellowstone universe and its numerous spinoffs, Taylor Sheridan made what remains his finest full-length directorial work.
Wind River, a gritty, tense thriller, follows a murder investigation on an Indian reservation. Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, the movie creates a dynamic that compels us to sincerely empathize with the characters.
What Is 'Wind River' About?
The body of a young woman was found on a Wyoming Indian reservation – she had run barefoot for several miles in the snow before freezing to death. Local game warden Cory Lambert, himself a survivor of the tragedy of losing a daughter, discovered the body and contacted the police.
When FBI agent Jane Banner, a recent Academy graduate, arrives on the scene, she realizes that she needs a guide to navigate these wild lands and turns to Lambert for help. Together, they try to understand the motives and local customs.
However, the investigation encounters indifference, prejudices, and a complete lack of assistance from local residents and the law.
'Wind River' Plunges Us Into the Oppressive, Bone-Chilling Atmosphere of Wyoming's Harsh Landscape
In Wind River, nature becomes a full-fledged character: the snow never stops, every trace is instantly covered, and it's impossible to get meaningful testimony from the locals.
Sheridan's wintry Wyoming resembles outer space: no one can hear you scream, and anything can happen. It is in this silent, hostile environment that a drama about guilt, redemption, and justice unfolds.
Jeremy Renner plays Cory Lambert, a man who carries tragedy within himself yet continues to live and help others. Elizabeth Olsen proves herself a versatile actress, playing a rookie agent unprepared for the harsh reality she faces.
'Wind River' Skillfully Blends Western, Detective, and Drama
Wind River isn't a traditional detective story, but rather a complex blend of a whodunit, a Western, and a depressing social thriller. The film addresses the issue of violence against Native American women, one of the most vulnerable groups.
Sheridan illustrates how the system overlooks crimes against Native Americans and how the pursuit of justice is thwarted by indifference.
In some ways, Wind River is a modern Western turned inside out. Unlike classic Westerns, it focuses on the guilt over the extermination and injustices committed against Native Americans – a murder sparks a detective story that evolves into a fast-paced action movie with several creative scenes.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Wind River'?
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Wind River has 87% from critics and 90% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.7/10.
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On Letterboxd, Wind River scored 3.8/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Wind River'?
Wind River is available to stream on HBO Max.
