“Can you find the wolves in this picture?”
synopsis
In 1920s Oklahoma, members of the Osage Nation become extraordinarily wealthy after oil is discovered beneath their land. Soon, however, Osage families begin dying under mysterious circumstances. As greed spreads through the community, a web of corruption, manipulation, and murder emerges. A young federal investigation—one of the earliest cases of what would become the FBI—attempts to uncover the conspiracy behind the killings.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
Martin Scorsese’s historical crime epic is less a conventional whodunit and more a grim autopsy of greed and betrayal. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Ernest Burkhart, a weak-willed man caught between loyalty to his Osage wife and manipulation by his sinister uncle (Robert De Niro). The film moves deliberately, but its slow burn deepens the tragedy as the scale of the conspiracy becomes clear. It’s an unsettling look at systemic corruption wrapped inside a meticulously crafted historical drama.
A quiet evening when you’re ready for something serious and immersive—this is a film to settle into rather than casually flip on.
Absurdist's Corner
The most chilling aspect of the story is that the conspiracy wasn’t hidden by brilliant criminals—it was enabled by ordinary townspeople who simply chose not to ask too many questions.
fun facts
The film is based on the nonfiction book by David Grann, which details the real-life Osage murders.
Several Osage Nation members were involved in production to ensure historical and cultural accuracy.
At over three hours long, it’s one of Scorsese’s longest films.
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese have collaborated on ten feature films.