Wind River (2017) is a powerful crime thriller directed by Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on Sicario and Hell or High Water. Set against the bleak and haunting backdrop of the Wyoming wilderness, this film explores themes of justice, survival, and loss. With a screenplay by Sheridan, it combines taut suspense with an emotional depth that makes it both a compelling mystery and a heartbreaking drama. Starring Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Gil Birmingham, Wind River delves into the lives of those living on a Native American reservation, exploring the complexities of crime, culture, and survival in a world where the elements can be just as deadly as human violence.

The story centers around Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner), a skilled tracker working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. When the frozen body of an 18-year-old Native American woman, Natalie Hanson, is found in the remote Wind River Indian Reservation, Cory is called in to help investigate. Natalie’s death appears to be the result of a violent assault, and the desolate, frozen landscape complicates the investigation.

Cory is partnered with Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen), a rookie FBI agent sent from Florida to handle the case. Jane is inexperienced with the harsh conditions and remote nature of the reservation, and her naivety contrasts sharply with Cory’s rugged expertise. As they work together to uncover the truth behind Natalie’s death, they are confronted with the dark realities of life on the reservation: poverty, isolation, and a broken system of justice.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the case is far more complex and tragic than it first seemed. Cory’s personal connection to the case deepens as he confronts painful memories of his own daughter’s death, and the journey becomes not only about solving the crime but also about seeking redemption and closure. The film builds to a tense, unforgettable conclusion, one that challenges the idea of justice and its consequences.