Scorsese’s Departure from the Original Story

The highly anticipated film Killers of the Flower Moon was released on October 18 in France and on October 20 in the United States. This Martin Scorsese masterpiece has caught the attention of cinema enthusiasts and experts alike due to its unique characteristics. The film boasts a lengthy runtime of three and a half hours, was made with a budget of $200 million, and surprisingly received no promotional efforts due to the actors’ and writers’ strike. Despite these challenges, Killers of the Flower Moon managed to gross an impressive $44 million during its opening weekend. This success can be attributed to the star power of Leonardo DiCaprio and the renowned reputation of the director.

However, the film’s box office performance did not match the expectations set by the presence of these esteemed names. It collected $44 million worldwide over a span of three days, while another film, Oppenheimer, surpassed that amount in the United States alone within the same time frame. Nevertheless, Killers of the Flower Moon has been well-received by critics. After its preview screening at the Cannes Film Festival, the film received positive feedback, and it currently boasts an impressive rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, the audience breakdown shows that only 46% of viewers fall within the 18-34 age group, which is lower than average. This suggests that the film appeals more to an older demographic who may not rush to see it during its initial release.

Killers of the Flower Moon is based on the book of the same name by David Grann, which recounts the tragic massacre of members of the Osage community from the perspective of the FBI investigators assigned to the case. However, Martin Scorsese’s adaptation takes some fictional liberties by narrating the story through the eyes of a young married couple portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone. By centering the narrative around the character belonging to the Osage community, the film sheds light on the community’s experiences and their relationship with the devastating events. Following its theatrical release, the movie will also become available on Apple TV+, although the specific date has not been announced yet.