The film begins on a frigid night in the isolated Wyoming Wilderness, specifically on the Wind River Indian Reservation. We witness Natalie Hanson, an 18-year-old Native American woman, fleeing barefoot through the snow, filled with terror as she glances back, setting a haunting tone as the opening credits roll.
Transitioning to the next scene, we meet Cory Lambert, played by Jeremy Renner, who is currently dressed in full white camouflage as he hunts a wolf. A dedicated hunter for the Fish and Wildlife Department, Cory is tasked with eliminating predatory animals in the region. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that he is a father but has faced the tragedy of losing his daughter at a young age, a shadow that looms over his character.
While engaged in one of his hunts, Cory stumbles upon a shocking discovery—the body of a young woman, identified later as Natalie. Her lifeless form is partially hidden in snow, devoid of shoes and showing signs of severe frostbite and a significant head injury. He promptly informs the Reservation Tribal Police, leading to a notification of Natalie's heartbroken parents, Martin and Annie Hanson.
Cory stays behind with Ben (Graham Greene), the Tribal Police chief, as they await the arrival of FBI Agent Jane Banner played by Elizabeth Olsen, amidst a fierce snowstorm. Together, they journey to the grim scene where Natalie's body was found. It's determined that the incident is a homicide, though shocking revelations about her tragic death soon surface: she was assaulted, ultimately succumbing to the elements as her lungs filled with frigid air.
Determined to seek justice, Jane, Cory, and Ben visit a dilapidated dwelling associated with Sam Littlefeather, a known drug den. The encounter escalates dramatically when they are met with gunfire; Cory successfully subdues Chip Hanson, Natalie's brother, while Jane pursues Sam. In a tense exchange, Sam is shot and killed. Interviews unravel more mysteries, revealing that Natalie had a boyfriend named Matt Rayburn, who worked as a security guard at local oil drilling sites.
As the narrative deepens, Cory tracks snowmobile trails leading from Sam's house. This trail leads them to a chilling discovery—the decaying body of Matt, only partially buried in snow, a grim reminder of the pervasive violence in the area. Subsequently, Jane, Ben, and other local deputies venture to the oil drilling camp for further inquiry, only to find themselves in a precarious situation with the security personnel, hinting at underlying tensions.
We delve into a haunting flashback where Matt is seen interacting with Natalie, ultimately leading to tragic events that ensue as their moment of intimacy is violently interrupted by Matt's coworkers, culminating in Natalie’s anguished escape, which ultimately leads to her untimely death.
In the present, Jane attempts to assert control over the situation at Matt's trailer, but violence erupts when a shotgun blast sends her flying back. What follows is a chaotic gunfight resulting in casualties among the Tribal Police. Amid the chaos, Cory emerges as an unexpected ally, his intervention shifts the tide as he confronts the men responsible.
In a riveting climax, Cory confronts Pete, the man who assaulted Natalie, leading to a tense moment on a mountain. Pete is given an ultimatum, compelled to confess under the grim reality of the conditions Cory sets for him. After forcing Pete to experience the harshness of the cold, the audience is left with a chilling acknowledgment of the brutality faced by Natalie.
The concluding scenes feature Cory in the hospital conversing with Jane, their shared grief evident. The film culminates at Martin Hanson's home, where Cory offers solace. Martin, adorned in traditional death paint, expresses his need to mourn as they share a poignant moment of remembrance. In a final, striking message, the screen reveals that alarming statistics on missing Native American women remain tragically overlooked, a somber reminder of the silence surrounding these cases.
