Going into this film, being an Indigenous production and Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.’s first feature as director, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. Perhaps that's why it ended up resonating with me more than I thought it would. *Wild Indian* explores a deeply troubling event early in the lives of two characters and then charts an unexpected course to illustrate how surprising someone’s life can become, particularly when considering who they were as younger people. People inevitably change over time, especially during childhood and adolescence. While the film moves at a deliberate pace—perhaps slower than it needed to be—a significant plot development quickly grabs your attention, which helps it move beyond the somewhat predictable introductions of the characters. Michael Greyeyes and Chaske Spencer both deliver excellent performances, keeping me engaged throughout. Although Greyeyes has more screen time as the main character, Spencer truly shines with a powerfully affecting portrayal. This is a promising first effort from a writer-director who’s worth watching in the coming year. However, I do have a significant problem with the central figure. Even though I appreciate the message Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. conveys to audiences about numerous important themes, I struggled to connect with this character; quite the opposite, actually. It's disappointing, but I found Greyeyes’ character difficult to like, not just because of what he did in the past, but mostly due to his present-day demeanor. Furthermore, Jesse Eisenberg’s casting felt jarring and awkward. The cinematography by Eli Born is beautiful. *Wild Indian* marks a noteworthy directorial debut for Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr., and I suggest keeping an eye on his future work. The story is captivating, and Michael Greyeyes and Chaske Spencer guide the audience through a dark and emotional exploration of how life isn't always just and that apologies are only effective for those who can genuinely feel regret or remorse. Both actors give memorable performances, but it’s Spencer whose portrayal had the greatest impact on me emotionally, highlighting the one character I truly connected with. The protagonist, however, is someone hard to root for, seemingly trying to bury a tragic past through awful choices. Jesse Eisenberg's presence feels especially out of place. The film’s relatively short length does somewhat make up for the slow pace, but overall I still enjoyed it. Rating: B

Source on TMDB