Devery Jacobs, renowned for her role in “Reservation Dogs,” recently shared her thoughts on Martin Scorsese’s latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” In a series of posts on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Jacobs expressed her intense emotions about the film. According to Jacobs, the movie was not only painful and grueling but also displayed unnecessary and explicit graphic content. As a Native person herself, she found the experience particularly distressing, being confronted with the worst atrocities perpetrated against her ancestors. Jacobs emphasized that the only respite in the film seemed to be the lengthy scenes in which white characters discussed and planned the killings.
Whilst critically assessing the film, Jacobs did acknowledge the exceptional performance of Lily Gladstone, whom she referred to as “an absolute legend” for her portrayal of Mollie. For Jacobs, the Indigenous actors brought a redeeming quality to the film. However, she pointed out that the Osage characters appeared underdeveloped in comparison to their white counterparts, implying a disproportionate allocation of depth and courtesy within the script.
Jacobs delved into the portrayal of violence in the film, recognizing the director’s intention to shock viewers in order to comprehend the community’s real horrors. However, she contended that the reverence and dignity due to the victims of these violent acts were not adequately represented. In fact, Jacobs argued that the excessive display of murdered Native women merely normalized the violence against Indigenous communities and further dehumanized them. She stressed the need to acknowledge the multifaceted aspects of Indigenous lives, including their pride in their heritage, their diverse languages, cultures, and experiences of joy and love. According to Jacobs, these elements are far more intriguing and humanizing than the perpetuation of white-inflicted horrors.
Jacobs raised concerns about non-Native directors placing the white perspective at the center of stories that primarily focus on the pain endured by Native people. Despite recognizing the significance of sharing this story, she expressed her preference for an Osage filmmaker to have been entrusted with the $200 million budget, allowing them to tell their own community’s tale authentically.
Devery Jacobs offered a critical assessment of Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Her comments shed light on the film’s unpleasant viewing experience, disproportionate character development, normalization of violence, and the need for Indigenous voices to tell their own stories. While acknowledging the film’s merits, Jacobs advocates for a more inclusive and respectful representation of Native communities in Hollywood.