“Killers of the Flower Moon”
Martin Scorsese in best-of mode?
© Apple TV+
In “Killers of the Flower Moon” Martin Scorsese relies on the star power of DiCaprio and De Niro for the first time. Well, that’s not entirely true.
Director Martin Scorsese, 80, apparently no longer makes it under three hours. After his previous work “The Irishman” clocked in at a whopping three hours and 30 minutes, the end credits of his new film “Killers of the Flower Moon” flicker across the screen just four minutes earlier. In contrast to the mafia drama, Robert De Niro, 80, has to share the royal screen time with Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, among others. This is the first time that Scorsese has used his two favorite all-purpose weapons in a feature film – he had already done this in a different format in 2015.
It gets greedy and brutal – that’s what “Killers of the Flower Moon” is all about
Thanks to unexpected oil deposits, the Osage Nation became one of the wealthiest peoples in the world almost overnight at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the new wealth attracts white invaders who manipulate, blackmail and ultimately murder the natives to get the money. After a shocking series of murders, the newly formed FBI begins the investigation. In the midst of all this chaotic violence, white Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio) falls in love with native woman Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone, 36).
De Niro and DiCaprio have appeared in front of the camera several times – including with Scorsese
It’s not just in terms of narrative that “Killers of the Flower Moon” promises to be a best-of of Scorsese’s usual strengths and leitmotifs. The meeting between DiCaprio and De Niro in particular promises great things: the two Oscar winners have never appeared together in front of the camera for a Scorsese film – at least not for a movie.
In fact, the three of them already had a joint project: the comedic short film “The Audition” by and with Scorsese was released in 2015. In it they all play themselves, but DiCaprio gets into a quarrel with De Niro because they are fighting for the same role under the direction of the old master. And in the end, Brad Pitt, 59, of all people, snatches the part from under their noses…
Aside from Martin Scorsese’s oeuvre, the acting duo has worked together several times. Exactly 30 years ago, in 1993, they appeared together in the film adaptation of the novel “This Boy’s Life.” The two already clashed in the drama by Michael Caton-Jones, 65, with De Niro playing DiCaprio’s violent stepfather. Another collaboration followed three years later – in the drama “Marvin’s Daughters” and alongside Meryl Streep, 74, and Diane Keaton, 77.
The future holds another collaboration between DiCpario and De Niro. Directed by David O. Russell (65, “American Hustle”), the spy drama “Legacy of Secrecy” is expected to come out in 2026.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” will be released in German cinemas on October 19th this year, and will be available to stream via Apple TV+ a short time later.