Wind River (2017) Watch Online Free

An FBI agent teams with the town’s veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.

Wind River (2017), directed by Taylor Sheridan, is a haunting and poignant mystery film set against the cold, desolate backdrop of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. The story follows Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner), a US Fish and Wildlife Service agent who stumbles upon the body of an 18-year-old Native American girl, barefoot and bloodied in the snow. FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) is called in to investigate, and together, they must navigate the rugged terrain and the complexities of the reservation’s legal and cultural realities in search of the girl’s killer. As the investigation unfolds, Cory is forced to confront the personal grief of losing his own daughter years earlier, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

Plot and Analysis

The plot of Wind River centers around the mysterious death of Natalie (Kelsey Asbille), a young Native American woman whose death leads to the involvement of Cory Lambert, an experienced tracker who knows the land intimately. Jane Banner, a rookie FBI agent unfamiliar with the harshness of the Wyoming wilderness, is paired with Cory to solve the case. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover secrets about the reservation, where a complex web of poverty, violence, and social neglect intertwines with the struggle for justice. The film’s stark winter landscape serves as both a literal and metaphorical reflection of the isolation and coldness that the characters endure, making the film’s atmosphere suffocating and tense.

One of the film’s most significant themes is the systemic violence faced by Native American communities, particularly women. This issue is woven into the narrative, emphasizing the indifference with which such cases are often treated by the outside world. Through Cory’s personal connection to the case—having lost his own daughter to a similar fate—the film underscores the emotional toll of violence in marginalized communities. The screenplay also critiques the failure of the justice system to address these crimes, a point highlighted by the film’s chilling conclusion, where it is revealed that Native American women are among the most vulnerable yet least represented in crime statistics

10 Reasons to Watch Wind River

1. Compelling Performances: Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen give nuanced performances, with Renner delivering a deeply emotional portrayal of a man grappling with his past, while Olsen embodies a rookie FBI agent thrust into a challenging investigation
2. Stunning Cinematography: The film’s cinematography, by Ben Richardson, captures the stark beauty and brutality of the Wyoming wilderness, using the setting as a character itself. The snowy landscape amplifies the film’s themes of isolation and survival
3. Gripping Mystery: At its core, Wind River is a compelling murder mystery that keeps the audience on edge with its gradual reveal of the truth behind Natalie’s death
4. Strong Social Commentary: The film offers a sobering exploration of the harsh realities faced by Native American communities, particularly women, and highlights the systemic neglect and violence that often goes unnoticed
5. Emotional Depth: Cory’s personal journey, shaped by grief and regret over his daughter’s death, adds an emotional layer that elevates the film beyond a typical mystery
6. Powerful Atmosphere: The film’s use of sound and silence, along with the intense cold, creates an atmosphere of tension and foreboding that keeps viewers immersed in the narrative
7. Complex Characters: The characters are multi-dimensional, each dealing with their own personal demons. This complexity adds richness to the film and makes it feel grounded in real-world struggles
8. Cinematic Direction: Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debut is masterful, blending elements of westerns and noirs with a modern sensibility that feels fresh and urgent
9. Realistic Depiction of Grief: The film doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of the loss that the characters experience, making the grief palpable and real
10. Timely Message: Wind River brings attention to an important issue—the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women—and does so in a way that is both respectful and impactful

How Will You Feel After Watching?

After watching Wind River, expect to feel a mix of sadness, anger, and contemplation. The film’s depiction of the systemic issues affecting Native American communities, particularly women, is likely to leave a lasting impression. The stark imagery and intense emotional beats may evoke a sense of grief and empathy for the characters, especially as you witness their struggles for justice in a world that often ignores them. At the same time, the film’s exploration of personal redemption through Cory’s character arc offers a sense of hope amid the bleakness. However, the film’s unflinching look at violence and its aftermath might also leave you feeling unsettled and disturbed. It’s a film that not only entertains but also challenges the viewer to think critically about the societal issues it raises