Is a film still considered a “white savior” story if its white protagonist never actually saves anything? In the case of Susanna White’s “Woman Walks Ahead,” it’s certainly not for lack of trying. A listless but lustrously shot biopic about the 19th century New York widow who traveled to North Dakota, painted the Sioux chief Sitting Bull, and then served as an advocate for his tribe as they fought the United States government’s attempts to expropriate their land, the movie almost credits Caroline Weldon as being solely responsible for the Native American resistance to the Dawes Act. Moreover, it also forgives her role in the massacre that followed. On their own, those issues are more frustrating than fatal. As a self-contained story, however, the film suffers enormously from its slippery grasp of history, all of its narrative thrust slipping through the cracks between fact and fiction.

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Films Watched in 2020 - Film 209
A24 Ranked

Not too engaging, feels exactly like The Nightingale and both are slightly problematic in the white saviour/likening the issues of a white woman to the issues of natives whose own land has been taken over element, at least in my opinion.

Overall it’s predictable and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve forgotten it all by tomorrow.

“Go away. I'm writing to my congressman.”

The film was set in a time where women and Native Americans were devalued. It was a slow burn, but eventually got pretty good toward the end. I'm not sure about Jessica Chastain's accent, but the performance ended up being pretty powerful.

Vegan alerts:
-Discussions about buckskins and moccasins made of "soft" buckskin
-A discussion about using buffalo's brains to soften the hide
-Buffalo bones on the hillside
-Riding horses

Note: there is also violence shown toward humans as well (people roughed up and also shot).

i fell asleep

It loses steam in the middle, but you can bet that this history pic is anything but boring. Jessica Chastain and Michael Greyeyes do well together as Caroline Weldon and Sitting Bull, and their chemistry together is impeccable. The camerawork is absolutely gorgeous, and the last 15 minutes hit you really hard.

The movie is so beautiful just like Jess 💕

Me, 5 minutes in, realizing that this was going to be a rough watch: 😔
Me, 10 minutes in when Sam Rockwell came on screen: 😯🥰
Me, sticking through the entire runtime because Michael Greyeyes gives an incredibly exceptional performance and is truthfully the only worthwhile part of the entire film: 🙂 

A24 has tricked me into watching yet another movie of the western variety in my quest to watch all of its filmography. I ask as I have previously, why does A24 distribute so many Westerns?

Woman Walks Ahead could have easily become another white saviour story, but while Catherine Weldon and her fight for Native American rights is at the forefront, it's Sioux Chief Sitting Bull's story that's the essence of the film. The true story of a painter who gets embroiled in the Lakota people's fight for their land is an important part of history, but a narrative that doesn't allow for anything groundbreaking. But you can never go wrong with a woman at the helm of an A24 picture filmed under gorgeous prairie skies.

Throw Jessica Chastain into a period piece and I swear she'll fit in with ease. I went in blind and while it felt somewhat safe, the direction was clear and not a minute was wasted. I'm happy more attention is being brought to the centuries-old plights of the Native American people through film.

Sam Rockwell disappears into his role — literally disappears, since he's not given anything memorable to do. However the male lead, Michael Greyeyes, was fantastic. He was right up there with Jessica the entire time and their chemistry was great - hope to see more of him in the future!

Beautiful and lyrical. Such an interesting story that delves into the politics of European land grabs.

Chastain great as usual, so is Rockwell. Also great representation of he attitudes of the area.

Some really beautiful landscapes

Sam Rockwell just out here collecting his Racist with a heart of gold pay check again.

this was an unnecessary movie to make

the best I can say about this movie is that, after watching it, I learned more about Sitting Bull and Wounded Knee while looking into exactly what they glossed over or lied about for the sake of a white savior story

"Woman Walks Ahead" constantly teeters on the verge of being an incredible modern western, but for whatever reason, it can just never seem to cross the threshold. And while there's nothing particularly wrong with it, there's nothing otherwise particularly right.

It is cast well, and the performances (especially Micahel Greyeyes) are great. Jessica Chastain's accent seems to waver a bit, but I've heard worse accents in worse movies. It's a little slow, but I was never bored, and there is some beautiful landscape, and gorgeous use of numerous wides throughout that took my breath away.

I just wish there had been a little more exploratory depth to the characters and history. The way they unfold and interact with each other often feels overly simplified for the sake of the film.

Interesting story told well. Solid performances all around. Mostly avoids white savior-y content but regardless I would prefer to see this made by an indigenous director.

review to follow...

a guy punched the shit out of jessica chastain then pissed on some dirt then rubbed it in her face what more could you want from a fetish video

watched this for Sam Rockwell but i’m now the newest fan of Michael Greyeyes 🔥🔥🔥

God, this movie looks gorgeous, but god, does it have some cringy dialogue. Veers into white-savior territory, if not only for the fact that we know in the end no one was actually saved and indigenous people on this side of the globe are still today being starved out and having their land stolen by the US government for their corporate masters.
But god, does it look gorgeous.

Well, I’m pretty sure I’ve watched this before (at least, half of it) but I can’t pin point when so... I’m gonna log this as my first viewing.

Written by Steven Knight this had to be great - and it was. I’ve been warming up to ‘western’ movies and I can appreciate them a lot more now. The cinematography is stunning, the performances are amazing and, as I said before, the writing is superb! 

I had no idea this was a true story!

I just don’t understand the point of an historical piece that isn’t accurate even as to what we know. And then there’s everything we don’t know and has been lied about. Too many issues to even rate this.