Another big hit for Taylor Sheridan

Rating: 9/10 (31 December 2017)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) discovers the dead body of a young female on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. The victim is barefoot and dressed in light clothing that would not provide adequate protection from the extreme cold weather. The question: What happened? Why would a young female with no shoes or socks, and very light clothing be 5 miles from any shelter?
Rookie FBI special agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) is nearby attending a conference, and she is reassigned to the case. Agent Banner is wholly unprepared, having only dress clothing and no cold weather gear, and little training outside her usual urban assignments. She is realistic and knows that the investigation is significantly compromised by her inexperience in a rural area and hostile weather, a community composed of uncooperative citizens, and Federal regulations limiting jurisdiction. Jane enlists Cory to aid in her investigation of which she believes is a homicide. The two enter a partnership to solve the mystery. The duo's search is hampered by family and race relationships as they enter dangerous territory.
Taylor Sheridan is having a great run as an actor (many roles where he is always exceptional), a successful screenplay writer (Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River), and a director (Wind River). Wind River is his best work to date. He is the movie's writer and the director, and is exceptional in both roles.