Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Killers of the Flower Moon!
Martin Scorsese is known for having cameos in his movies, and here is the director’s cameo in Killers of the Flower Moon, explained. Killers of the Flower Moon is the newest film from legendary director Martin Scorsese, with the three-hour epic exploring an era of history that Scorsese hasn’t yet delved into. Martin Scorsese’s cameo in Killers of the Flower Moon is one of his most unique yet, so here is where you can see the cameo as well as what it means.
Killers of the Flower Moon is finally here, with the highly-anticipated addition to Scorsese’s filmography being a massive critical success as per usual. The film explores the Osage murders that took place in Oklahoma from the 1910s through the 1930s, with it following Leonardo DiCaprio’s Ernest Burkhart, one of the main conspirators in the plan. Killers of the Flower Moon has a lot to say about the murders and their place in the broader context of American history, and Martin Scorsese’s cameo manages to perfectly hit home these themes.
Why Martin Scorsese Reads Mollie’s Obituary In Killers Of The Flower Moon
Martin Scorsese’s cameo in Killers of the Flower Moon is right at the end of the film, with the director playing the radio announcer who reads Mollie’s obituary. Killers of the Flower Moon‘s epilogue is presented in the form of an old-timey radio show, with various hosts explaining the aftermath of the Osage murders with the help of props and cartoonish sound effects. However, this scene ends with Martin Scorsese coming on stage and somberly reading Mollie’s obituary, capping off the film.
Martin Scorsese’s choice to have him read Mollie’s obituary in Killers of the Flower Moon actually serves a thematic purpose. Firstly, it helps accomplish what Scorsese hoped to do with the film. Killers of the Flower Moon has brought the Osage murders back into the limelight, and Martin Scorsese’s voice in the film (both directorially and literally) helped many learn about these atrocities for the first time. Scorsese’s solemn tone while reading Mollie’s obituary also helps remind the audience that these are real people who were really victims, with Scorsese’s segment lacking the levity and goofy tone of the other announcers.
Killers Of The Flower Moon’s Martin Scorsese Cameo Is Different From The Rest
While Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon cameo is cool, it is far different from those seen in the rest of his films. Martin Scorsese’s other cameos in his movies are typically more subtle, with him often playing characters with no lines or even being the voice of an off-screen character. Previously, Scorsese played roles like a taxi passenger in Taxi Driver, a pick pocketing victim in Gangs of New York, and a phone client in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Killers of the Flower Moon‘s Scorsese cameo is different as it puts the director front and center. Scorsese is the focus of his Killers of the Flower Moon scene, with all eyes being on him as he reads Mollie’s obituary. While Martin Scorsese’s cameo in Killers of the Flower Moon is a far cry from his other appearances, it was the right choice for the film.
