Wind River (2017)
A haunting crime thriller set in the frozen Wyoming wilderness, where a murder forces two unlikely partners to confront brutal truths.
Wind River - Movie Information
- Original Title: Wind River
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Mystery, Drama, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 3, 2017 (Greece), August 4, 2017 (United States - R), August 11, 2017 (Canada - R), September 8, 2017 (United Kingdom - 15), February 8, 2018 (Germany - 16), August 30, 2017 (France - 12), August 10, 2017 (Australia - MA15+), November 2, 2017 (Brazil - 16), April 5, 2018 (Italy - R), September 14, 2017 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Wind River – Tod im Schnee (AT), Viento salvaje (AR), Meurtre à Wind River (FR), Terra Selvagem (BR), 옔드 리버 (KR), Meurtre à Wind River (CA), Wind River - Tod im Schnee (DE), Kardaki İzler (TR)
- Production Companies: Savvy Media Holdings, Thunder Road, Film 44, Acacia Filmed Entertainment, Riverstone Pictures, Voltage Pictures, Synergics Films, Star Thrower Entertainment, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, The Fyzz
- Production Countries: France, United Kingdom, United States of America
Wind River - Plot
An FBI agent teams with the town's veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.
Wind River - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the frozen wilderness come to life:
Nothing is harder to track than the truth.
Where to Watch Wind River
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Wind River - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Taylor Sheridan
Main Cast
- Jeremy Renner
- Elizabeth Olsen
- Gil Birmingham
- Graham Greene
- Jon Bernthal
- Kelsey Asbille
- Teo Briones
- Tantoo Cardinal
- Matthew Del Negro
- Hugh Dillon
Writers
- Taylor Sheridan
Producers
- Matthew George
- Basil Iwanyk
- Wayne L. Rogers
- Elizabeth A. Bell
- Peter Berg
Wind River - FAQs
Is Wind River based on a true story?
Wind River is not based on one specific true story, but it was deeply inspired by real events. Director Taylor Sheridan drew from the alarming epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women on reservations across the United States, a crisis that remains largely underreported. The film shines a spotlight on this ongoing tragedy.
What is the ending of Wind River explained?
In the climax, Cory Lambert uncovers that Natalie was killed after she and her boyfriend Matt were attacked by oil workers. A tense standoff leaves most of the perpetrators dead. Cory then visits Natalie's grieving father to sit with him in silence — a quietly devastating moment of shared loss and solidarity.
Who are the main actors in Wind River?
Jeremy Renner leads the cast as Cory Lambert, a seasoned wildlife tracker, alongside Elizabeth Olsen as FBI agent Jane Banner. Gil Birmingham delivers a heartbreaking performance as the victim's father, Martin Hanson. Jon Bernthal, Graham Greene, Kelsey Asbille, and Tantoo Cardinal round out the compelling ensemble.
Where was Wind River filmed?
Wind River was filmed on location in Utah, primarily around the Sundance Mountain Resort area and the Wasatch Mountains, which doubled convincingly for Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation. The brutal, snow-covered landscapes are practically a character in themselves, amplifying the film's sense of isolation and dread.
What is Wind River about?
Wind River follows Cory Lambert, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife tracker, who discovers the frozen body of a young Native American woman on a Wyoming reservation. Paired with rookie FBI agent Jane Banner, he helps unravel a brutal crime. Critics praised it as a taut, emotionally resonant thriller with powerful social commentary.
Where can I stream Wind River?
You can stream Wind River on Netflix. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. If you prefer free options, Plex Channel offers it at no cost, and Spectrum On Demand has it available to rent.
Did Wind River win any awards?
Taylor Sheridan won the Best Director prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival for Wind River. The film also earned numerous nominations from critics' circles and independent film organizations, with particular praise directed at the performances of Jeremy Renner and Gil Birmingham.
What is the age rating for Wind River?
Wind River is rated R in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require accompanying parental guidance. The rating reflects the film's intense violence, disturbing thematic content including sexual assault, and strong language. It is not suitable for younger audiences and is intended for mature viewers.
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