Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan is developing an impressive reputation. His first film script was for 2015’s stellar “Sicario” and he followed it up with last year’s “Hell or High Water”. A deep-south crime thriller, “Hell or High Water” (despite a plot hole or two) would earn him an Academy Award nomination and highlight Sheridan’s gift for telling character-driven stories with a sharp regional authenticity.
His latest film “Wind River” is yet another showcase for Sheridan’s fascinating style of storytelling. It also sees him hop into the director’s chair, something he’s only done once before with a low-budget horror film appropriately titled “Vile”.
“Wind River” begins with a startling scene featuring a terrified young woman running through a snowy wooded area during the frigid cold of night. Her frozen body is eventually discovered by Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner), a Fish and Wildlife Service tracker for the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. Lambert reports the death to Tribal Police Chief Ben (Graham Greene) who promptly calls the FBI. The relatively uninterested Feds send earnest but ill-equipped rookie agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) to oversee the investigation.
From there the story becomes an absorbing mix of slow-boiling murder mystery and thoughtful commentary. A lot is gleaned from the rough and rugged setting. As with Sheridan’s previous two films, setting is one of the most captivating components. “Wind River” is filmed mostly on location which adds a harsh natural edge to the mystery. But the territory’s ruggedness is equally presented in another form – drugs, poverty, isolation and violence all speak to the reservation life Sheridan clearly wants to examine.
Renner and Olsen shed their second-tier Marvel superhero personas and get to play interesting real-life characters firmly grounded by Sheridan’s dialogue. Sheridan loves fleshing out his characters through well-conceived conversation. Renner is superb giving a quiet and measured performance fitting of a character with plenty of baggage to unpack. Olsen’s role resembled that of Emily Blunt in “Sicario” but just a hair less convincing. She’s tough but inexperienced and forced to learn on the fly from the situation she is thrust into. They are a good team working through local obstacles as well as federal red tape and indifference.
Sheridan’s direction matches his screenwriting – steady and assured. His knack for pacing keeps the story bumping along all while building tension and fleshing out his characters. It is sure to be too slow for some and there are certain things Sheridan shows but has no interest in exploring. Personally speaking I appreciated his focus.
Things eventually reach their boiling point leading to a finale that obliterates the film’s patient rhythm. It’s a bit jarring but inevitable and satisfying. There are a few small questions left on the table and it’s hard to determine if they are intentional or oversights. Still Sheridan has written yet another solid screenplay in his crime story trilogy and has added a strong directing credit to his resume. He remains an exciting filmmaker with a refreshing cinematic eye and his next script “Soldado” is a sequel to “Sicario”. I’m all onboard.
VERDICT – 4 STARS
Keith & the Movies 
Great review Keith! Loved the film so much. In my opinion, it’s totally unpretentious. It is what it is and if there’s anything more (which there is), Sheridan let’s us derive for ourselves. I loved how beneath the violence and grit, the film has tons of heart, soul and feeling. One of my favourite films of the year so far!
It has really stuck with me since I first saw it. I think Sheridan has such an interesting cinematic voice. Can’t wait for his Sicario follow-up.
Nice review. I still have to see this movie. Everyone says its good!
It’s very good. Fits in nicely with Sheridan’s Sicario and Hell or High Water crime movies.
I really appreciate your comparing Olsen here to Blunt’s Kate Macer. Two outsiders get a crash course in life under relatively extreme conditions. I really enjoyed Wind River, felt it was a moving portraiture of grief and how people attempt to handle it.
Indeed. The grief aspect was pretty potent. Really strong performance from Renner too. Maybe his best. At least since The Town.
I liked this film a lot as it says so much about how isolated the Native American community is with the rest of America and how there’s a few that is willing to help them out in matters of justice as well as dealing with death. Taylor Sheridan is definitely a great storyteller as I’m eager for what he will do next.
I agree. Next is his Sicario sequel which I’m really interested in seeing.
How dare you refer to Scarlet Witch as second tier, she’s one of the most powerful Avengers!
lol
Great review, I really liked this movie. Even with the parts that were hard to watch, I look forward to seeing this again.
Ha Ha! Indeed she is one of the most powerful (and one of my favorites in the older Avengers comics). I mean second tier only in their MCU treatment. As for this movie, I’m with ya. I’m already anxious to see it again. Can’t get it out of my head.
I’m interested in anyone’s work who had a hand in Sicario. I also think Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen work well together. Sounds really good!
YES! I loved Sicario! Finished in my Top 5 of that year. Recently had a chance to revisit it and it certainly holds up. That ending!
I need to watch it again as well. That ending had me on the edge of my seat. Up until the last second it could have gone in so many different directions.
This sounds like my kind of movie. Appreciate you putting this on my radar. I love me a good thriller.
It’s an excellent thriller my friend. Well worth your time.
I trust in your judgement on movies, Keith. You have impeccable taste.