Killers of the Flower Moon Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Killers of the Flower Moon ends with the brutal resolution of the Osage murders, exposing the systemic greed and racism that fueled the killings. The film culminates in the trial of William Hale (Robert De Niro) and Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), revealing the depths of their betrayal of the Osage people. While justice is technically served, the emotional and cultural scars remain, underscored by a haunting epilogue that reflects on the erasure of Indigenous stories. The ending leaves viewers grappling with themes of complicity, historical injustice, and the lingering effects of colonialism.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The finale of Killers of the Flower Moon is a harrowing reckoning with the crimes committed against the Osage Nation in the 1920s. After a prolonged campaign of murders orchestrated by William Hale to steal Osage oil wealth, the FBI, led by Tom White (Jesse Plemons), finally intervenes. The trial scene is pivotal, as Ernest Burkhart, Hale's nephew and accomplice, testifies against his uncle in exchange for a lighter sentence. This moment is charged with tension, as Ernest's wife, Mollie (Lily Gladstone), an Osage woman whose family was targeted, watches in silent anguish. The trial exposes the sheer scale of the conspiracy, but the legal victory feels hollow-many perpetrators evade consequences, and the Osage are left to mourn irreplaceable losses.
The emotional core of the ending lies in Mollie's arc. After enduring betrayal, poisoning, and the murder of her sisters, she survives but is irrevocably changed. Her final scenes are suffused with quiet devastation, symbolizing the resilience and suffering of the Osage people. The film doesn't offer a tidy resolution; instead, it emphasizes the enduring trauma of colonialism. The epilogue, a radio-play-style sequence directed by Martin Scorsese himself, serves as a meta-commentary on how history is often sanitized or forgotten. By breaking the fourth wall, the film forces the audience to confront their own role in remembering or ignoring such atrocities.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Did justice truly prevail?
- Yes: Hale is imprisoned, and some perpetrators face consequences.
- No: Many involved escaped punishment, and the Osage never fully recovered their losses.
2. What was Mollie's fate after the trial?
- She lived until 1937 but struggled with health issues from the poisoning.
- Her later life remains underexplored, symbolizing the erasure of Indigenous narratives.
3. Why did Ernest cooperate?
- Self-preservation: He sought leniency.
- Guilt: Perhaps fleeting remorse, though his motives remain ambiguous.
4. What does the radio-play epilogue signify?
- A critique of how white media reduces Indigenous suffering to entertainment.
- Scorsese's acknowledgment of his own position as a storyteller grappling with this history.
Personal Opinion:
The ending of Killers of the Flower Moon is a masterclass in historical reckoning. Scorsese doesn't shy away from the ugliness of the story, refusing to offer catharsis where none existed in reality. DiCaprio's Ernest is a pitiable figure, embodying the banality of evil, while Gladstone's Mollie is the film's moral anchor-her silence speaks volumes. The radio-play epilogue initially feels jarring but ultimately underscores the film's thesis: history is often told by the victors, and true justice remains elusive. It's a difficult, necessary film that lingers long after the credits roll, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about greed and complicity.
Final Thoughts:
Killers of the Flower Moon isn't just about the Osage murders; it's about how America's foundation is built on stolen land and lives. The ending's power lies in its refusal to offer solace, instead holding a mirror to the audience. By blending meticulous historical detail with bold narrative choices, Scorsese crafts a film that's as much a memorial as it is a indictment. It's a reminder that some wounds never fully heal-and that remembering is the first step toward accountability.