Rights holder / Distributor: The Weinstein Company
The Wild River (Wind River) is a 2017 American crime thriller film directed and written by Taylor Sheridan. It was released in the United States on August 18, 2017.
In the snowy Wyoming wilderness, game warden Corey Lambert discovers the body of 18-year-old Natalie Hanson on a remote Indian reservation. After it becomes clear that the girl was the victim of abuse, the FBI sends in young agent Jane Banner, who has no experience with such cases and is unprepared for the harsh conditions. Lambert knows the area and the local community and gradually becomes their guide. The investigation begins as a search for the perpetrator, but with each clue, it reveals more of the problems hidden behind the isolation, poverty and silence of the reservation.
About Taylor Sheridan The Wild River is his directorial debut, but as a screenwriter he has already gained considerable experience with stories about the harsh American reality. He previously wrote Sicario and At any cost, and then The Wild River continues to develop his interest in crime, the border between law and personal justice, and life in places forgotten by society. Here he uses snow and vast empty spaces not just as a backdrop, but as a constant part of the tension. The cold, the silence, and the difficulty of moving make the investigation physically exhausting, and the gradual accumulation of information works much better than a hasty montage. The film won the award for directing in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jeremy Renner is an excellent choice for the role of Corey Lambert. His character is not your typical action hero, but a man who knows the nature and people around him and carries his own weight without constantly explaining it. Elizabeth Olsen builds Jane Banner as an inexperienced but tenacious investigator whose initial uncertainty gradually gives way to determination. Gil Birmingham, Julia Jones, Jon Bernthal, Kelsey Asbile and Graham Greene complement the story with images that lend credibility to the local community. The music of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis also plays an important role in the gloomy atmosphere.
One of the strongest sides of The Wild River is the way Sheridan lets the tension build, rather than constantly maintaining it with twists and turns. The story has a criminal basis, but it is not limited to the solution of a single crime. It also draws attention to real problems related to violence against indigenous women and the social isolation of local communities. When the investigation reaches its final phase, the built-up tension explodes with unusual cruelty, which makes the last part especially memorable. Among the crime films of the last decade The Wild River stands out for its dark atmosphere, strong performances, and a sense of place that is as important to the story as the characters themselves.
