Apple TV+ dropped the final trailer and some fine move-poster images Wednesday for Martin Scorcese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone. And if the powerful video, below, doesn’t make you want to see the film, nothing will.
The streaming service often calls upcoming movies and shows “highly anticipated,” and it’s no exaggeration in this case. The epic historical drama premieres October 20 in theaters, including IMAX screens, and afterward on Apple TV+.
Watch powerful, final Killers of the Flower Moon trailer
The trailer gives a good look at the sweeping and violent historical epic. Directed by the legendary Scorsese and packed with A-list talent, the movie is based on Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, the 2017 nonfiction book by journalist David Grann.
It’s no small task to adapt the complex tale to the screen. The book covers action over decades, from when the Osage were forced onto poor land that turned out to conceal oil in the early 20th century, to a series of murders of Osage members and their heirs through the 1920s and ’30s in what would be called the “Reign of Terror.” But how far did the murderous conspiracy go?
Young J. Edgar Hoover sent agents from the nascent FBI to try to figure out what was going on and give his new federal police force a big win and much-needed credibility.
Here’s Apple’s description of the movie:
At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story and told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Gladstone), Killers of the Flower Moon is an epic western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal.
Impressive cast
Photo: Apple
The cast isn’t limited to its famous members, of course. DiCaprio’s Burkhardt marries Osage member Molly Burkhardt, played by Gladstone, and becomes involved with De Niro, who embodies the prominent white civic leader who may be right at the root of all evil, William Hale.
But the movie also features Jessie Plemons as federal agent Tom White, Brendan Fraser as W.S. Hamilton and Native American actors like Larry Sellers and Tatanka Means. Even notable Americana singer-songwriters Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell play roles, as well.
Apple Studios, Imperative Entertainment, Sikelia Productions and Appian Way produced the film. Scorsese, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Daniel Lupi serve as producers. DiCaprio, Rick Yorn, Adam Somner, Marianne Bower, Lisa Frechette, John Atwood, Shea Kammer and Niels Juul serve as executive producers.
Watch the trailer
Watch movies on Apple TV+
After its theatrical run starting October 20, Killers of the Flower Moon will join the film lineup on Apple TV+. It’s available by subscription for $6.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After first airing in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 299 wins and 1,451 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
Those include multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy Ted Lasso and historic Oscar Best Picture winner CODA.
