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Wind River
(The Weinstein Company)
By Lucas Allen
Actor-turned-writer Taylor Sheridan has achieved high acclaim for his written work on “Sicario” and “Hell or High Water,” which explore the dark recesses of humanity. He once again takes us through the darkness as writer and director on his new thriller “Wind River.” It’s a movie that tackles the hottest of reality in the coldest of setting. Plus, for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s interesting to see Hawkeye and the Scarlet Witch in a different kind of action movie.
Game hunter Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) was making his rounds in Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation when he discovers a dead body in the snow. He recognizes the body as a young woman named Natalie (Kelsey Asbille) whose father (Gil Birmingham) was part of the reservation. A rookie FBI agent, Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen), is called in to investigate it as a possible homicide. Though life in the snowy wilderness is alien to her, she tries to make the most of the situation with the help of the reservation’s local sheriff (Graham Greene).
Lambert then revealed that a similar occurrence happened with his daughter, who also died under mysterious circumstances. That case was never solved, similar to many other cases on the reservation. But Banner and the sheriff catch what seems like a big break when a visit to Natalie’s junkie brother reveals that she was with an older man (Jon Bernthal) the night of her disappearance. But the question remains, how can one survive outside in the cold Wyoming winter?
Fans of Sheridan’s previous works will likely enjoy it for its similar themes and dark outcomes. He succeeds in tapping into our American psyche and then drop us in the middle of the dark territory we’re not used to. The snowy locale and dark cinematography enhance the atmospheric tension of the film’s story. Though not as overly dark or graphic as “The Revenant,” it still has that unsettling mood that never lets up.
While the story is good, it becomes predictable as it goes on, therefore hurting its grasp for greatness. Sheridan tried his best to make it compelling which he does, but you can still connect the dots easily where the whole thing leads to. Though there’s an interesting flashback in the third act that explains a lot, it’s not as satisfying as it could’ve been.
Renner delivers a strong performance as a hard-working man dealing with a terrible past that’s tough to get over. The scene where he talks about the tragedy shows him at his acting best. Olsen holds her own in a pretty good role as a young rookie FBI agent trying to do the right thing. With the addition of Bernthal, who portrays The Punisher in Netflix’s MCU, the movie has a trifecta of Marvel actors in a movie that doesn’t involve superheroes.
Though far from great, Wind River still packs a punch, thanks to Sheridan’s stellar writing and directing. It may not be for everybody, but you can still find something to enjoy about it. Just remember to wear your jacket before you venture into the winter cold.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for strong violence, a rape, disturbing images, and language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
