“Wind River” (2017) written & directed by Taylor Sheridan, starring Jeremy Renner & Elizabeth Olsen / Z-View

Wind River (2017)

Director: Taylor Sheridan

Screenplay: Taylor Sheridan

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Jon Bernthal, James Jordan, Kelsey Asbille, Julia Jones, Teo Briones, Apesanahkwat, Tantoo Cardinal, Eric Lange, Gil Birmingham, Tokala Black Elk, Gil Birmingham, Martin Sensmeier, Austin R. Grant, Ian Bohen and Graham Greene.

Tagline: Nothing is harder to track than the truth.

The Plot…

When Natalie Hanson’s frozen dead body is found on the Wind River Indian Reservation after a brutal snow, rookie FBI Agent Jane Banner is sent in to investigate.

The autopsy reveals signs of rape and blunt trauma, but because Natalie died from a pulmonary hemorrhage caused by breathing subzero air, the coroner can not list the cause of death as murder.  That means that Agent Banner is unable to get additional support to investigate Natalie’s death.

Agent Banner knows she’s in over her head.  She is new to the area.  The customs and ways of life of the Northern Arapaho tribe who live on the reservation are alien to her.  So Agent Banner turns to Cory Lambert for assistance.  Lambert is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent who found Natalie’s body.  Lambert is an expert tracker and knows the people having been married to a Northern Arapaho woman.

Banner and Lambert begin to backtrack Natalie’s last hours.  The will uncover another murder and conspiracy that leaves them outnumbered and on their own.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Wind River was filmed on location with some scenes filmed in real blizzard conditions.

Wind River is the first screenplay that he didn’t write on spec.  Both Sicario and Hell or High Water were written on spec.

Wind River is a bit of a slow burn.  But the amazing cast, the ultimate reveal of Natalie’s murder and the explosive gun battle after the sudden standoff are <chef’s kiss>.

Wind River (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.