Lily Gladstone Warns of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Triggers: Native Audiences Will Feel ‘Generational Grief’ Onscreen

Lily Gladstone is issuing a warning before audiences watch Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” especially Indigenous audiences.

The lead actress of the film took to social media (via The Hollywood Reporter) to highlight the potential triggers onscreen. “Killers of the Flower Moon” depicts the Osage Nation murders in the early 1920s, which were investigated by the newly-formed FBI.

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“The most pressing thing I’ve wanted to say about ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ especially to Native Women & Youth: See it when and only if you feel ready, and see it with people you feel safe with,” Gladstone wrote. “You’ll likely have a lot of generational grief to process. You’re not alone.”

She continued, “Never forget this story is recent history with a lasting impact on breathing, feeling people today. It belongs to them, & we all have so much to learn from it. In this process of learning about the horrific Reign of Terror, remember that the Osage remain. Native People remain. And this story is a lot to take in. Be kind, and please be gentle with each other. There is much to process, and much to heal.”

Gladstone’s full statement is below.

Gladstone’s “Reservation Dogs” co-star Devery Jacobs previously called out “Killers of the Flower Moon” for being “painful, grueling, unrelenting, and unnecessarily graphic” when spotlighting the serial killings of Osage people after oil was found on their land.

“Being Native, watching this movie was fucking hellfire. Imagine the worst atrocities committed against yr ancestors, then having to sit thru a movie explicitly filled w/ them, w/ the only respite being 30min long scenes of murderous white guys talking about/planning the killings,” Jacobs tweeted in October 2023.

Jacobs did applaud Gladstone’s performance, however.

See Gladstone’s full statement below.

The most pressing thing I’ve wanted to say about ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ especially to Native Women & Youth: See it when and only if you feel ready, and see it with people you feel safe with. You’ll likely have a lot of generational grief to process. You’re not alone.

If you need to unpack and are without [a] community to do so, there are safe, culturally specific and anonymous 24/7 resources available.

@weRnative If you need advice from a trained counselor, text “NATIVE” to 741741. You will be immediately connected with a crisis counselor. All support and resources shared will remain confidential. Plus, there is no cost to you.

StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 safe, confidential & anonymous domestic/sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy. 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) @strongheartsdv

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

988 The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Call or text 988.

These organizations also provide incredible resources and support. The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center @niwrc

Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women @CSVANW

Tribal Health: Reaching out InVolves Everyone (THRIVE) for North Portland Indian Health Board @NPAIHB

I’m so proud of the film we made with so many Osage Nation leaders, artists, educators & community advocates. Never forget this story is recent history with a lasting impact on breathing, feeling people today. It belongs to them, & we all have so much to learn from it.

In this process of learning about the horrific Reign of Terror, remember that the Osage remain. Native People remain. And this story is a lot to take in. Be kind, and please be gentle with each other. There is much to process, and much to heal.

With love, Lily

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