Movie

Wind River

Name: Wind River
Released: 2017

2017 • Crime, Drama, Mystery

Woke Score

out of 10

Plot

East of Boulder Flats, deep into the vast and unforgiving white territory of the Wind River Indian Reservation, the seasoned game tracker, Cory Lambert, discovers the frozen body of the young Native American, Natalie. As this is a federal crime, the F.B.I. dispatches the inexperienced but courageous agent Jane Banner to lead the investigation, however, the unprepared outsider will soon team up with Cory to unravel the mystery of Natalie's murder. Before long, Cory will inevitably have to face his own past, while at the same time, both he and Jane are thirsting to see justice done. In the end, will this be a fruitful alliance?

Overall Series Review

Wind River is a gritty and grounded neo-Western that largely avoids modern political lecturing. While the story focuses on the systemic neglect of Native American reservations and features white antagonists, it avoids typical progressive tropes by centering on a highly competent white male protagonist who embodies traditional masculine virtues like stoicism and protection. The female FBI agent is depicted realistically as an out-of-depth professional who must rely on the male lead's expertise to survive. The film emphasizes the tragedy of broken families and the necessity of objective justice in a lawless land. It eschews any mention of gender theory or alternative sexualities, sticking to a harsh, traditional worldview where nature is indifferent and men must protect their own.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics6/10

The plot centers on the victimization of Native Americans by white outsiders and includes a closing title card about the lack of statistics for missing indigenous women, framing the narrative through the lens of systemic racial neglect.

Oikophobia4/10

The film portrays American federal institutions and law enforcement as indifferent, incompetent, and unable to provide basic safety to those living on the fringes of the country.

Feminism2/10

The female lead is a professional agent but is portrayed as physically vulnerable and less capable than the male lead. The story respects traditional gender dynamics by making the man the primary protector and tracker.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative focuses entirely on heterosexual relationships and the bond between fathers and daughters. There is no inclusion of queer theory or non-traditional sexual identities.

Anti-Theism1/10

The film operates within a world of objective moral consequences. It does not mock faith and instead focuses on the spiritual weight of grief and the need for traditional atonement.