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Thriller

Wild Indian (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Wild Indian (2021) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$197
award nominations
4
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Wild Indian (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
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Cast & crew

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.

Ratings

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).

58 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Wild Indian Box Office & Budget

Wild Indian grossed $197 worldwide on a $20 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$197

International
$197
Budget
$20M
Awards

Wild Indian Awards & Nominations

Wild Indian earned 4 award nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 2022.

4 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Wild Indian Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Confession
  • Clip Seems Like You Know Who I am
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the film's main storyline primarily take place?

Details

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?

FAQ

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.

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