WIND RIVER is a gripping thriller, written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, that follows rookie FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) as she accepts the assignment to solve a little girl’s murder mystery in the chilly wilderness of a secluded Native American Reservation.
The film begins with an 18-year-old girl named Natalie running in the Wind River conservation area with fear and distraught as if someone was following her. Her frozen body was later discovered by a wildlife service agent Cory and then the local cops and FBI took over the case.
Unacquainted with the harsh climate condition, FBI agent Jane took the help of Cory in tracking evidence in the murder. As investigators try to reach out to Natalie’s father who informed them that the girl was recently dating a guy, the autopsy proved that she was sexually violated. It however could not provide enough evidence of murder, as the death was more because of the extreme weather.
WIND RIVER is very intelligently written as the story is very thin yet ends up building an atmosphere of suspense with some interesting characterization. Director Taylor Sheridan, who had earlier screen-written films such as Hell or High Water (2016) and Sicario (2015), very nicely presented the story with a good star cast.
Jeremy Renner’s Cory is a calm, composed self who has seen a lot, being a resident of this part of America. He goes for his regular hunting expeditions clipping his rifle on wolves that have been praying on sheep. This case is also very personal to him as he had also lost his daughter in mysterious circumstances.
Elizabeth Olsen, on the other side, plays the role of young FBI agent Jane Banner who is ever-ready to jump into the mystery and cold life of this reservation with a law of its own. Her chemistry with Jeremy is very much visible as equal partners and shared goals. It is quite interesting that the director did not bring any romantic angle to these two characters which later complimented the seriousness of the story.
There are moments where the situation and expression of the characters or the atmospheric visuals talk enough to take the story forward than any trivial dialogues. In the end, WIND RIVER turns out to be a film that in all respect is praiseworthy. The film also stars Gil Birmingham, Jon Bernthal, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille, and James Jordan.
Watch the Movie Trailer for WIND RIVER
Release date: August 4, 2017
Genre: Thriller
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Gil Birmingham, Jon Bernthal, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille, and James Jordan
Director/Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Where to watch Wind River (2017)
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