Unveiling the Astonishing Ending of Killers of the Flower Moon: You Won't Believe What Happens!
Discover the riveting finale of Killers of the Flower Moon as the Osage Nation's land faces a fierce challenge Brace yourself for a tumultuous trial and a surprising twist where the story takes an unexpected turn into the realm of a radio play
Recounting a "true American story," Martin Scorsese presents his latest film, a sprawling epic exceeding 3 hours in duration. Join us as we delve into the ending of "Killers of the Flower Moon", featuring notable talents such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. In this ambitious endeavor, Scorsese delivers a grand-scale production with a significant investment of resources.
The official synopsis of the film states that during the 1920s, the Osage tribe in the United States is subjected to mysterious murders, which triggers a significant investigation by the FBI led by J. Edgar Hoover. Now available in theaters and exclusively streaming on Apple TV+, here is a detailed overview of the ending of Killers of the Flower Moon. Caution: Spoilers ahead!
Killers of the Flower Moon ending: Osage Nation land gets challenged
Throughout its lengthy runtime, Killers of the Flower Moon is setting up its ending for one thing – finding out who is killing the Native American members of the town.
Upon the arrival of former soldier Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio), a series of events unfold, drawing him into his uncle’s web of altruism and deceit. While outwardly showcasing support, resources, and superficial camaraderie to the Osage Nation, William D. Hale (De Niro) clandestinely orchestrates their systematic elimination. His underlying motive? To pilfer the Osage land and oil wealth, leaving them utterly bereft of any means to challenge his actions.
Throughout most of Killers of the Flower Moon, William is highly successful. He effortlessly manipulates the entire town, while lazy Ernest is willing to do anything for quick money. Ernest's marriage to Mollie (Lily Gladstone) further facilitates their scheme, as her relatives are eliminated to ensure her inheritance comes directly to her and the Burkharts.
By causing a fatal explosion that takes the lives of Mollie's sister Reta (JaNae Collins) and her husband, William executes a flawless plan to frame Ernest for the entire operation. He orchestrates situations that result in the capture of hitmen and other criminals who may reveal too much information. However, William, who insists on being called "King" by Ernest, faces unexpected consequences when Ernest is arrested for murder.
The trial against William and Ernest gets ugly
Following Ernest's arrest, Blackie Thompson (portrayed by Tommy Schultz) intensifies his efforts to emphasize Ernest's culpability in the presence of the FBI, which forces Ernest to directly confront his wrongdoings. This sets in motion a tumultuous decision-making process for Ernest, contemplating whether or not he will testify against his uncle in court. Meanwhile, William himself is apprehended, while Ernest remains detained, all due to the fortuitous eavesdropping of a stranger in a nearby town.
After attempting to testify, Ernest talks to William's lawyer, W.S. Hamilton (played by Brendan Fraser), who asserts that Ernest is his client and requests a meeting with him. During a supervised visit at home, Hamilton and others in the community persuade Ernest, a white individual, that William is innocent and imply that the FBI have violently manipulated him.
Determined to support William, Ernest's youngest child Anna tragically succumbs to whooping cough while he is incarcerated. This tragic event prompts a change of heart in Ernest, and he informs William that he no longer wants him anywhere near his children. During the trial, Ernest bravely takes the witness stand against William but denies the accusation that he only married Mollie to acquire her wealth, as suggested by William. Following the trial, Mollie confronts Ernest and questions whether he tampered with her insulin medication.
Killers of the Flower Moon ends as a radio play
The ending of The Killers of the Flower Moon replaces trial scenes with a live stage broadcast of a radio play. Complete with actors, foley artists, and a full orchestra, this scene paints a vivid picture of what a true crime podcast might resemble today.
As the story unfolds, viewers discover the trial's outcome through voiceovers and letters. William is sentenced to life imprisonment, facing the disdain of the Osage population in town. However, after a few years, he manages to secure early release for good behavior by using bribes. Despite being banned from the state, he defies these restrictions and visits his family in Oklahoma. Eventually, he is said to pass away in a nursing facility in Arizona. On the other hand, Ernest also receives a life sentence but is fortunate enough to be released early. He spends his final days residing in a trailer park with his brother.
Mollie divorces Ernest without delay and enters into a new marriage after a few years. She succumbs to diabetes in 1937, the illness she had been battling throughout the entire film. Scorsese makes a cameo at the film's conclusion, reading Mollie's obituary. He reveals that none of the Osage murders, including three of Mollie's own family members, were ever publicly acknowledged.
Catch Killers of the Flower Moon in theaters starting October 20. For more information, click here, and explore our upcoming film coverage in the hubs listed below.
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