“I do love that money, Sir.”

Those words are uttered very early on in Killers of the Flower Moon by Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) as the returning WW1 veteran responds to his Uncle William Hale’s (Robert DeNiro) declaration that, “Money flows freely here now.”

Hale is referring to the Osage Nation of indigenous people who suddenly become some of the richest humans on Earth after oil is discovered underneath their land around the turn of the 20th century. As one might expect, that sudden fortune attracts a seedy assortment of shysters, swindlers, and hangers-on – the Kingpin of whom is Hale – hoping for their piece of the pie.

The plan by the white invaders was to murder and breed their way into the Osage community, and thus, become heirs to their oil riches. It’s actually a true story brought to light in David Grann’s 2017 bestseller and now adapted for the big screen by Eric Roth and Scorcese in Killers of the Flower Moon, an epic western crime saga in which the legendary director masterfully weaves the threads of love, greed, betrayal, and even murder, into a perfectly-realized cinematic event.

Set against the backdrop of the Osage people's tragic history – a history that is not only hard to believe, but one that is also difficult to comprehend that wasn’t more widely known until Grann’s book – the film sheds light on the Osage people's plight as they fall victim to the greed and brutality of the white men who moved to the area as drivers, businessmen, or workers in the oil fields.

The central plot, driven by William Hale's sinister agenda, is pure Scorcese. In fact, though the film might qualify as his first Western, it is unquestionably a Scorcese gangster flick through and through. Hale’s wicked plan to force Ernest into marrying a charmingly beautiful Osage woman named Mollie (Lily Gladstone, First Cow), and subsequently orchestrating the murder of her entire family to claim their wealth is an utterly chilling thought and is absolutely heartbreaking to watch unfold.

DeNiro’s two-faced Hale, now the unquestioned king in the county, is given the soft finish of a caring man looking out for the interests of the Osage people, all the while, literally plotting their extinction.

DiCaprio’s Burkhart is played as somewhat of a simpleton driven by greed but steered by confusion. DiCaprio, in his jaw-jutting scowl, is brilliant as the question of whether his Burkhart truly loves Mollie lingers throughout the film. Layers of intrigue and doubt are added as he confesses numerous times that his love for money surpasses his love for Mollie. But as the plot unfolds, we find ourselves constantly reevaluating our understanding of Ernest and the depth of his affections. This intricate dance of deceit and treachery is as gripping as it is shocking.

As the story unfolds, the sheer audacity of the white invaders who exploited the Osage people is laid bare, with Scorsese unflinchingly portraying their evil deeds. Whereas Grann’s book plays out as more of a mystery with Hoover’s newly-formed FBI G-men investigating the murders, with Scorcese’s version, there’s no attempt to hide their identities; instead, we watch them commit their heinous acts, making it all the more visceral and haunting.

Killers of the Flower Moon also stars Jesse Plemons as FBI agent White sent to investigate the murders, John Lithgow as Prosecutor Peter Leaward overseeing the trial, and Brendan Fraser as defense attorney W.S. Hamilton.

Killers of the Flower Moon is a bold and unapologetic cinematic triumph, again showcasing Scorsese's unparalleled storytelling skills and attention to detail. The film delves into a dark chapter of American history with honesty and courage, shedding light on the injustices suffered by the Osage people. It is a testament to the power of storytelling in the hands of a master director, and, even with its nearly 3 1/2 hour runtime, is worth every minute of your time. This epic journey of love, betrayal, and crime will leave you both shaken and moved.

4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Digipack Edition

Home Video Distributor: Criterion
Available on Blu-ray - March 4, 2026
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Video: Dolby Vision; HDR10
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos; English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; Audio descriptive
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

Count me in the vocal gaggle of those who thought we'd never see a physical media release of Killers of the Flower Moon. With Apple TV taking the home distribution reins, why would we? 

However, Killers of the Flower Moon arrives on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray in a definitive home presentation, anchored by a stunning new digital master that elevates every meticulous detail. This premium release is packed with value, including two insightful new documentaries that explore the film’s creation, along with a beautifully produced perfect-bound booklet, and more. Thoughtfully curated and richly assembled, it’s an essential edition for collectors and cinephiles alike. Grab a copy now. It was worth the wait.

VIDEO

Criterion’s 4K UHD presentation of Killers of the Flower Moon is a significant upgrade over its previous streaming debut on Apple TV, delivering a rich image that finally does justice to the film’s visual intent.

Presented in 2160p with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the transfer showcases exceptional clarity, with beautifully rendered textures in period costumes, weathered faces, and the dusty Oklahoma landscapes.

The blend of film and digital photography throughout is handled beautifully, maintaining a consistent, organic look with natural grain intact. Word has it that film was used for dark and interior shots, while digital cameras were utilized for darker and nighttime shots.

Dolby Vision and HDR10 grading elevate the image with a nice contrast and striking highlights. Pay particularly close attention to the sunlit exteriors that glow with warmth. Interiors benefit from deep, inky blacks without any digital crush.

Colors are earthy and restrained throughout, avoiding oversaturation while still offering impressive depth. Compared to the Apple TV version, this release exhibits superior stability, richer contrast, and more refined detail, making it the definitive home viewing experience. Hard to imagine it looking any better than it does here.

AUDIO

The Criterion Collection gives the film an exceptional audio experience, anchored by a richly detailed Dolby Atmos track. The mix is immersive yet restrained, prioritizing atmosphere over showiness.

Subtle environmental sounds, from rustling prairie winds to distant thunder, are rendered with precise spatial placement, while dialogue remains crisp and centered, even amid denser sequences.

Robbie Robertson’s haunting score is given plenty of room to breathe, with excellent channel separation and low-end support. Your home theater system will greatly appreciate this treatment.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

Sigh... You get the all the special features from the Scream Factory release (among others) from long ago, but, as with all new media, if they don’t offer anything new, I see no point in reviewing the same stuff over again. It just seems the days of studios or physical media producers no longer wish to put the finance into making decent supplementary content anymore. Generous but long outdated commentaries and featurettes aplenty. That just makes me sad.

• New 4K digital master, approved by director Martin Scorsese, with Dolby Atmos soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film and special features
• New documentary featuring Scorsese, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, author David Grann, Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Osage cultural consultant John Williams, editor Thelma Schoonmaker, and other members of the cast and crew
• “WahZhaZhe”: A Song for the Osage, a new documentary illuminating the film’s final shot, featuring Scorsese, Chief Standing Bear, and six members of the Osage Nation
• Excerpted archival interview with director of photography Rodrigo Prieto
• Excerpts from the 2023 Cannes Film Festival press conference featuring Scorsese, DiCaprio, Gladstone, Chief Standing Bear, and actor Robert De Niro
• Short program on Noah Kemohah’s cover art
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and English descriptive audio
• PLUS: Essays by critic Vinson Cunningham and film programmer Adam Piron
• Original cover art by Noah Kemohah, photographed by Cullin Tobin

	Movie
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Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 206 mins
Director: Martin Scorcese
Writer: Eric Roth; Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio; Robert De Niro; Lily Gladstone
Genre: Drama | Western
Tagline: A Martin Scorcese Film.
Memorable Movie Quote: "I was, uh, sent down from Washington D.C. to see about these murders."
Theatrical Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date: October 20, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 24, 2026
Synopsis: Members of the Osage nation in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s, which sparks a major FBI investigation that involves J. Edgar Hoover.