'Wind River' Movie Review

Hello, fellow moviegoers!
   Wind River is directed by Taylor Sheridan, and it stars Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Graham Greene. When a local hunter stumbles upon a dead body in the wilderness of a Native American Reservation in Wyoming, an agent of the FBI is brought in to help solve the case. The agent works with the small local police department and the hunter to try and solve the mystery of what happened to the young girl found dead in the snow. 

   Taylor Sheridan is very quickly becoming one of the most talented people in Hollywood right now. Before now, he’s been a screenwriter on only two films, Sicario and Hell or High Water, both of which are absolutely fantastic films. His newest film, Wind River, sees him not only writing the script but also features him in the director’s chair as well.
   In Wind River, Sheridan crafts a somber, heavy, and thrilling murder mystery that sticks with you when you leave the theater. This film opens with one of the most effective narrative hooks I’ve seen in a while. Immediately when the film starts, you’re intrigued and horrified at what you’re seeing. You don’t understand what’s going on, but you want to know more about it, and that’s what really keeps you on board throughout the entirety of this film’s runtime.
   The tone in Wind River is very serious and almost depressing at times. It feels like a cross between Sheridan’s last film Hell or High Water and Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia. The film presents its story to you in a way that you completely understand what is going on. Even the gruesome details, though usually hidden, are completely comprehensible to the audience. You are always fully aware of what is happening in the film, even though you don’t know a whole lot about the actual situation. You’re discovering more and more about the incident at the same pace as the characters.
   The film’s pacing was perfect for a movie like this. It wasn’t necessarily slow, but it certainly wasn’t your typical pace for an action blockbuster, that’s for sure. Not once in this film does it ever seem to dull down or get boring. Sheridan slowly feeds you more information through the script, and each new bit of information leaves you wanting more. As the film goes on, the pace begins to pick up more and more until the plot ultimately hits its tipping point. When all of the tension in this film comes to a head it’s almost too much to bear. You’re shocked at the situations unfolding in front of you and even more so when you realize that this is based on true events.
   The performances in the film are very fitting. Save for one actor towards the end, every actor and actress in this film serves their purpose, and they do so masterfully. Jeremy Renner’s performance in this film is perhaps the best I’ve ever seen from him. Through a mix of his stature, facial expressions, and the pure emotion he delivered in his lines, Renner shows in this film that he can really give a powerhouse performance. Expect his name to, at least, be in some conversations come awards season.
   The musical score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis was perfectly utilized throughout the film. Unlike many of the scores of great composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer, this score is much more reserved and subtle. At points, if you’re not listening for it, you might not even realize that it’s there. However, when it is noticeable, it fits the film very well. The use of a small choral really drives it home and helps to build the tension and tone of the scene.
   Wind River is a fantastic movie that will undoubtedly have you on the edge of your seat with every continued moment. The performances, musical score, and direction by Taylor Sheridan all come together to build a tone that almost makes the movie heavy while watching it. This is the type of movie that you only see once, but that you never forget about. I would very highly recommend seeing Wind River. It’s one of the year’s best.
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9/10

   So what did you think of Wind River? How does it compare to some of Taylor Sheridan’s other work? Let me know by commenting on this post! Also, if you enjoyed this review, share it on Facebook and Twitter. It really helps! Don’t forget, many of my reviews will now start to be published by the Daily Nebraskan, so follow me on Twitter for any new articles!
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