The movie is a crime thriller that goes by the name Wind River (2017).

Its set on a Native American Reservation in Wyoming. Jeremy Renner plays the co-lead as a wildlife officer, which is government speak for, he’s a hunter. And while he is out tracking a mountain lion that’s killing the livestock of the surrounding farmers, he discovers the body of a young woman in the snow. Now, because its set on a Native American Reservation, there is some funky law stuff going on that I won’t pretend to understand, but it means that a singular federal agent (played by Elizabeth Olsen) is sent out to investigate. She employs the help of the local police, and because they are horribly understaffed, she deputises the hunter to utilise his knowledge of the area.

This movie does something that I personally, really appreciate, it just tells its story. You know how sometimes crime thrillers try way too hard to trick you into guessing who dunnit, and they create all of these subplots within subplots within subplots to distract you, but really all it achieves is just a confusing tangle of crap that poorly resolves itself and you sit there thinking, like, “What is even happening?” Wind River doesn’t do any of that. There is of course the Native American angle that accompanies the main storyline, and it is quite confronting and challenging, but it just rides alongside and doesn’t preach or override the story. It just follows the investigation as it builds to its natural climax, you know the one that crime thrillers do, the final showdown, the Mexican standoff, the chase through the abandoned warehouse. And man, this one is goooooood. Sweaty palms, heart racing, the lot.

In summary, crime thriller, no mucking about, good old-fashioned story telling with some incredible scenery, excellent acting, and a killer ending.