Year: 2017
Runtime: 107 min
Language: English
Director: Taylor Sheridan
In the harsh Wyoming wilderness, Fish & Wildlife agent Cory Lambert discovers a disturbing crime scene, initiating a perilous investigation. FBI agent Jane Banner, new to the field, is dispatched to lead the case, but quickly finds herself challenged by the unforgiving environment and the remote location. Together, they navigate a landscape of isolation and danger, uncovering a complex network of violence and long-held secrets as they seek justice and confront the brutal realities of survival.
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At the end of Wind River, the film underscores the harsh reality of injustice and the indifference faced by Native American women. Although Lambert and Banner expose the truth about the violence inflicted on Natalie and Matt—including the sexual assault and brutal murder—the story reveals how little is actually done to prevent these tragedies. When Lambert lets Pete go and simply encourages him to run, it symbolizes a form of acceptance rather than revenge, reflecting the movie’s meditation on fate and the natural order. Lambert’s act of releasing Pete, who shortly dies from pulmonary hemorrhage, echoes the idea that some aspects of life are dictated by forces beyond human control—fate and nature. The film suggests that although individuals can seek justice or closure, the larger system often remains unresponsive, leaving many victims’ cases unresolved and forgotten. The haunting truth that Native American women are disproportionately missing or murdered underscores a painful societal neglect—despite the efforts of those like Lambert and Banner, justice remains elusive for many. Ultimately, Wind River is a somber story of loss, acceptance, and the unyielding power of nature and fate, which continue to shape human lives long after the crime is committed. It reminds us that some truths are impossible to fully uncover or rectify, and that the universe often takes its own course, indifferent to human suffering.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
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