Wild Indian (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Wild Indian is a 2021 thriller directed by Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr., starring Michael Greyeyes as Makwa, Kate Bosworth and Lisa Cromarty. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $197 worldwide on a $20 million budget. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 2022. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.
- Genre
- Thriller
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Vertical Entertainment
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Wild Indian About?
The premise of Wild Indian without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Years after a traumatic event, Michael, a Native American man, struggles to outrun his past. When an old acquaintance reappears seeking retribution, he's forced to confront a deeply buried secret that threatens his hard-earned peace. He must protect his marriage and his position at work while dealing with the resurfacing consequences of a decades-old tragedy and the fracturing of his own identity.
Wild Indian Themes & Keywords
· 9 tags- biracial child
- murder
- f word
- no opening credits
- 1980s
- 2010s
- year 2019
- reference to cain and abel
- native american
Wild Indian Cast & Characters
Michael Greyeyes leads the cast as Makwa, with Kate Bosworth as Greta and Lisa Cromarty as Cammy. Directed by Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.
-
Michael Greyeyes as Makwa -
Kate Bosworth as Greta - Lisa Cromarty as Cammy
-
Bruce Davis as Florist
Also Starring in Wild Indian
· 6 more- Adam Budron Detective Fenton
- Evan Assante
- Kody Burns
- Bryce Camp
- Kirstyn Anderson
- Tracy Condit
Wild Indian Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Wild Indian 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Wild Indian Echo Score Breakdown
Wild Indian presents a daring, character‑driven drama that divides opinion. Critics commend its stark visual style and ambitious themes, yet many note uneven narrative focus and pacing issues. User feedback similarly highlights strong performances, especially by Michael Greyeyes, while criticizing slow pacing and underdeveloped plot threads. The film’s atmospheric strengths are offset by structural weaknesses, resulting in a mixed yet thought‑provoking experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of art and craft, the film displays a stark, elemental visual approach praised by several critics for its impressive cinematography and deliberate framing. The production design conveys a raw, atmospheric tone that supports the narrative’s tension. However, some reviewers point to uneven editing and moments that feel under‑polished, tempering the overall craftfulness.
- Character & Emotion 60
When evaluating character and emotion, performances receive notable praise, particularly Michael Greyeyes’s nuanced portrayal, which many consider a highlight. Supporting actors such as Chaske Spencer also garner positive notes. Conversely, criticism arises around the protagonist’s likability and the limited screen time of Jesse Eisenberg, which some view as a miscast distraction, resulting in a mixed character reception.
- Story & Flow 45
The story and flow draw attention for its ambitious premise, intertwining past trauma with present consequences. Critics acknowledge its thought‑provoking themes but frequently cite a scattered structure and lack of narrative focus, describing the film as unfocused and structurally disjointed. User commentary echoes these concerns, highlighting slow pacing, ambiguous plot points, and an unsatisfying resolution that undermines the film’s intended impact.
- Sensory Experience 70
In terms of sensory experience, the film’s cinematography is widely praised for its evocative color palette and composed framing, while the score by Gavin Brivik receives commendation for its brooding atmosphere. Sound design subtly reinforces tension throughout. Nonetheless, some viewers find the overall auditory mix subdued, and the visual style occasionally feels overly muted, tempering the sensory impact.
- Rewatch Factor 50
The rewatch factor appears limited, as many reviewers note that the film’s uneven pacing and unresolved narrative threads reduce its replay appeal. While strong performances and striking visuals can motivate a second viewing for some, the prevalence of ambiguous plot elements and a perceived lack of closure make the experience less compelling on repeat watches.
-
IMDb 5.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 57%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 55% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
Wild Indian Plot Summary
What happens in Wild Indian from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a powerful opening sequence, a Native American man grapples with the brutal realities of life, as he hunts in the woods while his wife succumbs to smallpox. Makwa Gi-Zheg, a young Ojibwe boy living in Wisconsin during 1988, faces not only the torment inflicted by his father but also the bullying that occurs at school. His sole source of comfort is his cousin Teddo, who stands by him as they navigate the complexities of childhood. As Makwa begins to develop feelings for a girl, he finds himself envious of James, who effortlessly captures her attention.
Full summary
The whole story of Wild Indian, scene by scene
Wild Indian Box Office & Budget
Wild Indian grossed $197 worldwide on a $20 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$197
- International
- $197
- Budget
- $20M
Wild Indian Awards & Nominations
Wild Indian earned 4 award nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 2022.
4 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2022 4 nominations- Nominated Best First Feature
- Nominated Best First Screenplay – Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Michael Greyeyes
- Nominated Best Supporting Male – Chaske Spencer
Wild Indian Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.
- Clip Confession
- Clip Seems Like You Know Who I am
How Well Do You Know Wild Indian?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year does the film's main storyline primarily take place?
Wild Indian Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “狂野的印第安人” and “Filhos da Violência”.
- Also known as
-
- 狂野的印第安人
- Filhos da Violência
- Дикий индеец
- 와일드 인디언
- אינדיאני פראי
- Divlji Indijanac
- Άγριος Ινδιάνος
- Дикий індіанець
- Vahşi Yerliler
- Indianul sălbatic
Seen Wild Indian?
Movies Like Wild Indian
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Wild Thing, Wilding and Clearcut.
Wild Indian FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Wild Indian, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Wild Indian?
Wild Indian runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Wild Indian released?
Wild Indian was released on September 3, 2021.
Who directed Wild Indian?
Wild Indian was directed by Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr.
Who is in the cast of Wild Indian?
Wild Indian stars Michael Greyeyes as Makwa, Kate Bosworth as Greta and Lisa Cromarty as Cammy, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Wild Indian make at the box office?
Wild Indian grossed $197 worldwide on a budget of $20 million.
How is Wild Indian rated?
Wild Indian has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.
Was Wild Indian nominated for any awards?
Wild Indian received 4 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Wild Indian have a post-credit scene?
No. Wild Indian has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
