In addition, Renner’s character is a textbook definition of a white savior, who tracks and finds killers on reservation land for these ill-fated Native Americans. Jason Asenap, a Native American writer, asserts in his article, “Why do white writers keep making films about Indian Country?,” that while Sheridan’s politics are on the right side of history and he uses his power in Hollywood to highlight an important issue, he nevertheless continues the long Hollywood tradition of portraying Native Americans through a non-native white savior lens (2). He posits,

....In Hollywood, the Indians die. To this day, the Indians die, and not just physically, but culturally. Simpson and Sheridan are invested in making us see how America has screwed Native people, but to the point of rubbing it in our faces. Is it so terrible to live in one’s own homeland? It may be hard to get out, but it certainly feels condescending for a non-Native to write as much….Is it so bad to be Indigenous in the 21st century? Does a positive message redeem poor narrative? Does giving a good cause free you from obligations to the culture you are telling stories about? And finally: When do the Indians win? (2)

Thankfully the film’s shortcomings are made up for by Sheridan’s writing. He is, unfortunately following two extremely stellar films so this one just pales slightly in comparison.

Sheridan’s Wind River is a reflective tale about grief, the cyclical nature of violence, and sexual assault enabled by the Native American Reservation system. Sheridan has considerable writing skill and it is good that he continues to create. Despite being patronizing to its Native viewers by relying on the white savior trope, I believe the film’s heart is in the right place (2). Like Sheridan or Dee Brown and a multitude of other authors, I should add that I too have a fascination with Native American history and culture, so I do appreciate the focus Sheridan brings to such a tragic issue that is often completely overlooked. While his directing chops might need some work, this doesn’t distract from the overall quality of the film. Wind River hits all the right notes, and its head over heals better than frozen thrill, The Snowman.

TLDR: Wind River is a thoughtful crime thriller and another well-written tale from Taylor Sheridan. It falls just short of his previous outings but is still a welcome addition. 4/5 Stars