Killers Of The Flower Moon Wins Best Picture For Grownups
The AARP Movies for Grownups Awards crowned Killers of the Flower Moon as the Best Picture of 2023. The event recognizes and celebrates films and television content that resonates with audiences aged 50 and older. Created in 2002 by the AARP, the inaugural winners were disclosed in an edition of AARP the Magazine, later evolving into an annual ceremony in 2006.
AARP Movies For Grownups
From 2018 onward, the awards ceremony has been broadcast nationally on PBS, extending its reach across the United States. “It’s been a good year for shows and movies by and for people over 50,” AARP TV and Film Critic Tim Appelo said in a statement.
“Grownup talent and stories are being recognized across the board, and ageism in Hollywood does seem to be gradually eroding, with help from AARP.”
Other Winners For Grownups
The spotlight was not only on Best Picture winner Killers of the Flower Moon but also on individual achievements in acting, directing, and writing.
Annette Bening won the Best Actress prize for her role in Nyad, while Colman Domingo took home the Best Actor award for Rustin. Christopher Nolan’s directorial prowess in Oppenheimer earned him the Best Director award.
Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig were honored with the Best Screenwriter prize for their collaboration on Barbie. Succession won in the Best TV Movie/Series or Limited Series category, affirming its status as a standout show.
Jennifer Coolidge received the Best TV Actress award for her role in White Lotus, while Bryan Cranston took home the trophy for Best TV Actor for his performance in Your Honor.
Based On A True Story
Killers of the Flower Moon is a Western crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese. The filmmaker co-wrote the script with Eric Roth, drawing inspiration from David Grann’s 2017 non-fiction book of the same name.
Set in 1920s Oklahoma, the story focuses on a string of murders targeting Osage members and their associates in the Osage Nation, triggered by the discovery of oil on tribal land.
Fantastic Cast
Despite the tribal members retaining mineral rights on their reservation, a corrupt local political figure tries to steal their wealth, forming the crux of Killers of the Flower Moon.
The impressive ensemble cast is led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, with additional notable performances by Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, and Brendan Fraser.
Killers of the Flower Moon Box Office
Killers of the Flower Moon debuted at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. As of January 11, 2024, the movie has earned $67.4 million in the United States and Canada and $89 million in other territories, resulting in a global box office total of $156.4 million.
During its North American opening weekend, the film was expected to generate between $20 and 25 million across 3,621 theaters.
It went on to secure $9.4 million on the first day alone, including $2.6 million from previews, culminating in a debut of $23 million. As such, Killers of the Flower Moon surpassed the average $19 million earnings for Scorsese-DiCaprio collaborations.
The film also marked the highest opening Scorsese-De Niro collaboration, surpassing Cape Fear’s $10.2 million in 1991.
Other Awards
Killers of the Flower Moon has been recognized at various awards ceremonies. It won the Best Film award at the National Board of Review, the NYFCC Award for Best Film, and the Chairman’s Vanguard Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Lily Gladstone won the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Best Performance award at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, making her the first Indigenous actress to be honored.
Source: Variety
