Wind River

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Wind River Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Extremely violent but smart, solid crime movie.

R 2017 107 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 18+

Based on 11 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 8 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Wind River is a very violent crime/murder story set on a Native American reservation in Wyoming. There's a brutal rape scene, plus fighting, beating, and bludgeoning, lots of guns/shooting, gory dead bodies, and plenty of blood. A wolf is also shot and killed. Language is very strong in certain scenes, with many uses of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," and more. Secondary characters are shown dangerously, abusively drunk in one scene, and some characters smoke cigarettes. In one scene, a man and a woman kiss passionately and lie in bed together; sex is implied and mentioned. A few characters are scantily clad, but no actual nudity is shown. While some may raise eyebrows at a Native American story being told with white main characters (including Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen), the movie does make a point of sending a message about the shameful fact that -- unlike women in any other culture -- Native American women who go missing aren't tracked or counted. The movie marks the directorial debut of Taylor Sheridan, who wrote Sicario and Hell or High Water, and it's another smart, solid, but very mature story.

Community Reviews

Christina J.
Christina J. Adult
February 10, 2023
age 18+

Violent rape, beatings, violence. Not appropriate for under 18.

A good movie for adults. But this movie is not appropriate for children to be watching. There's violent rape, beatings, violence, etc. I saw that most of the children putting reviews on here just "skipped over the rape scene", but that's part of the reason the script was created - to highlight the issue of violence against Native American women. Kids under 18 are not actually able to grasp the understanding of the mental and physical toll that takes on a human after experiencing that.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
James Hedrick
James Hedrick Adult
January 31, 2022
age 18+

A Harsh Look at Violence Against Native Women

Wind River holds a place among those movies that while being a well made and high quality film, also calls attention to real issues in our world which many people choose to ignore. The film's message about violence against Native American women is powerful and true. They are the most victimized demographic in the United States and receive the least support of any women. Director Taylor Sheridan does a phenomenal job of drawing attention to this issue through the story of Natalie Hanson, a young native woman who is raped and then freezes to death trying to escape. This film should receive great praise for positive role models and elements. Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) is a good man determined to find justice for Natalie while seeking closure for his own murdered daughter as well. There is a quiet maturity and honor about him which is quite admirable. Matt Rayburn (Jon Berthal) is likewise a good man, sacrificing his life to protect the woman he loves when she is attacked by his fellow security contractors. Natalie herself is a strong intelligent young woman and great for representation. The Native American cultures of the Wind River Reservation, specifically the Arapaho nation, are respectfully and accurately portrayed. The film is violent and intense with bloody gun violence and the intensely distributing scene in Matt's trailer where Natalie is raped and he is killed (spoilers). There is also a good amount of language and the film does not shy away from the drug use and alcoholism which does sadly plague many reservations today. However, despite the harsh content for the writing, directing, incredible acting performances and the real world issues it forces the audience to confront I love this film and strongly recommend it for mature audiences.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WIND RIVER, Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) works in the freezing mountains of Wyoming as a tracker and hunter, stopping wild animals from killing livestock. On a nearby Native American reservation, he discovers the body of a teen girl. An FBI agent, Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen), is called in, and it's determined that the girl was raped and then tried to run, barefoot, across the freezing snow. Working with the local sheriff, Ben (Graham Greene), Lambert and Banner try to figure out what happened. At first, events point toward the girl's boyfriend, but things aren't as they seem. At the same time, Lambert deals with the loss of his own daughter, and his relationship with his Native American ex-wife and their young son, as well as his friendship with the dead girl's father, Martin (Gil Birmingham).

Is It Any Good?

Actor-turned-screenwriter Taylor Sheridan makes his directorial debut with this smart, solid crime movie that, while not without its flaws, makes excellent use of open spaces and haunting quiet. Sheridan wrote two of cinema's sharpest recent crime stories, Sicario and Hell or High Water; he now adds Wind River to that list. All three films are set in lawless communities, like modern-day Westerns; this one uses its snowbound Wyoming passages to suggest that, if the characters go poking near danger, no one is coming to the rescue. A haunting score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis helps set the tone.

The characters' restrained, stoic nature can make Wind River feel like it has skipped over certain details, simply because some things aren't discussed, but it's easy to forgive a movie that favors mood over chatty dialogue. Wind River gets into controversial territory by telling a Native American story with two white leads, but at least it's a well-told, intelligent, and respectful story, and the characters are interesting in and of themselves. They don't feel obligatory. And, as with his last two movies, Sheridan has something to say about the world here -- and he says it with compassion and without preaching.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Wind River's violence. What's the effect of the brutal, shocking scenes? Are they necessary to the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • How does the movie portray drinking? Does it look cool or fun? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

  • Did watching this movie raise any questions of representation for you? Is it appropriate to tell this story with white lead characters? Why or why not?

  • A character explains that luck doesn't exist out in the country, that everything depends on struggle to survive. Do you agree?

  • How did the closing message about missing Native American women make you feel? Were you aware of the situation?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Sicario Poster Image

    Sicario

    Violent drug-lord battle is masterful but pessimistic.

    age 17+
  • Hell or High Water Poster Image

    Hell or High Water

    Excellent, relevant crime drama has language, violence.

    age 17+
  • Mystic River Poster Image

    Mystic River

    Powerful performances in graphic story. Only 16+.

    age 17+
  • Fargo Poster Image

    Fargo

    Dark, gritty, and brilliant comedy is extremely violent.

    age 16+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate