Passes the Bechdel test

Killers of the Flower Moon

Name: Killers of the Flower Moon
Released: 2023

2023. Directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese and David Grann.

The Bechdel test

Bechdel score

3 / 3

Passes

Yes 1. At least two women
17 women characters. 12 of them speak.
Yes 2. Who talk to each other
In 4 scenes out of 182.
Yes 3. About something besides a man
In those scenes, our script parser found no man named. See the scene.

Second opinion

Disagree bechdeltest.com readers give it 1 out of 3.

The film

1919, Osage County, Oklahoma. Due to the discovery of oil on their land the Osage people are per capita the wealthiest people in the United States. Having just been discharged from the US Army, Ernest Burkhart returns to the area to work for his wealthy uncle, William Hale. Lately many Osage people have died in suspicious circumstances but nothing is being done about it.

Released: 20 Oct 2023
Genres: Crime, Drama, History
Rated: R
IMDb: 7.5 / 10
Metascore: 89 / 100
Awards: Nominated for 10 Oscars. 142 wins & 427 nominations total
Elsewhere: View on IMDb

Starring, by lines spoken

Women
Men
Not in the cast list
Bigger name, more lines

Ernest 301 lines, man
Hale 180 lines, man
Mollie 112 lines, woman
Prosecutor Leaward 57 lines, man
Tom White 53 lines, man
Kelsie 32 lines, man
Mollie Mollie 24 lines
Byron 20 lines, man
Radio Announcer 20 lines, man
James Shoun 18 lines, man

Full cast, 210 people

Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart
Robert De Niro as William Hale
Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart
Jesse Plemons as Tom White
Tantoo Cardinal as Lizzie Q
John Lithgow as Prosecutor Peter Leaward
Brendan Fraser as W.S. Hamilton
Cara Jade Myers as Anna
JaNae Collins as Reta
Jillian Dion as Minnie
Jason Isbell as Bill Smith
William Belleau as Henry Roan
Louis Cancelmi as Kelsie Morrison
Scott Shepherd as Byron Burkhart
Everett Waller as Paul Red Eagle
Tahlee Redcorn as Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga / Traditional Leader
Yancey Red Corn as Chief Bonnicastle
Tatanka Means as John Wren
Tommy Schultz as Blackie Thompson
Sturgill Simpson as Henry Grammer
Ty Mitchell as John Ramsey
Gary Basaraba as Detective Burns
Charlie Musselwhite as Alvin Reynolds
Pat Healy as Agent John Burger
Steve Witting as Dr. James Shoun
Steve Routman as Dr. David Shoun
Gene Jones as Pitts Beatty
Michael Abbott Jr. as Agent Frank Smith
J.C. MacKenzie as Radio Announcer
Jack White as Radio Show Actor
Larry Sellers as Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga
Barry Corbin as Undertaker Turton
Gabriel Casdorph as Agent Joe Jones
Wally Welch as Bob Mount
James Roman Dailey Jr. as Baby Namer
Christopher Cote as Baby Namer (for Anna)
Randy Houser as Scott Mathis
Moe Headrick as Sheriff Freas
Pete Yorn as Acie Kirby
Margaret Shannon-Sisk as Wife of Pipe Keeper / Wailing Relative
Moira Redcorn as Prologue Wailer
Chase Parker as Osage at Oil Discovery / Fairfax Explosion Responder
Jarad Looper as Osage at Oil Discovery
John Gibbs as Osage at Oil Discovery
Jerry Logsdon as Osage at Oil Discovery
Jacob Lux as Osage at Oil Discovery
Xavier Toehay as Osage at oil Discovery
Mike Cook as Hawker at Train
Katherine Willis as Myrtie Hale
Delani Chambers as Willie Hale
Zachary Hokeah as Osage Dying from Poison
Talon Satepauhoodle as John Whitehair
Chance Rush as Bill Stepson
Dana Daylight as Anna Sanford
Mahada Sanders as Rose Lewis
Jennifer Rader as Sara Butler
Ben Hall as Sara's Murderer
John Q. Wilson as Bank Clerk
Beau Smith as Photos Hustler #1
Victor McCay as Photos Hustler #2
Nathalie Standingcloud as Roan Girlfriend
Jay Paulson as Car Salesman
Marvin E. Stepson Jr. as Osage Family Buying Car
Tracey Ann Moore as Osage Family Buying Car
Easton Wade Yellowfish as Osage Family Buying Car
Reignen Yellowfish as Osage Family Buying Car
Candice Costello as Catherine Cole
Father Chris Daigle as Catholic Priest
Jerry Wolf as Fred Denoya (Robbed)
Addie Roanhorse as Mrs. DeNoya (Robbed)
Justin France as Card Player
Erica Pretty Eagle Moore as Baby Naming #1 Mother / Bridesmaid
Mason Cunningham as Baby Naming Father
Norma Jean as Vera (Mollie's Housekeeper)
Elisha Pratt as Joseph Bigheart
Desireee Storm Brave as Bertha Bigheart
Margaret Gray as Grace Bigheart
Christopher Hill as John Bigheart
Dolan Wilson as Justice of the Peace
Jackie Wyatt as Wedding Photographer
Rayna Gellert as Wedding Band Lead Fiddle
Nokosee Fields as Wedding Band
Kieran Kane as Wedding Band
Lucas Ross as Wedding Band
Elijah Cemp Ragsdale as Wedding Band
Vanessa Rose Pham as Elizabeth Burkhart (Baby)
Terry Allen as Uncle Jim
Jo Harvey Allen as Aunt Annie
Sarah Spurger as Martha (Nanny)
Joshua Close as Horace Burkhart
Elden Henson as Duke Burkhart
Kinsleigh McNac as Elizabeth Burkhart (2-3 years)
Roanin Davis as Cowboy Burkhart (Baby)
David Fields as Bob the Cab Driver
Anthony J. Harvey as Charlie Whitehorn
Stephen Berkman as Studio Photographer
Joseph Spinelli as Friendly Joe
William Alyn Hill as Studio Vagrant #1
Blaine Hall as Studio Vagrant #2
Brent Langdon as Barney McBride
Leland Prater as Rex Theater Manager
DJ Whited as Cave Outlaw
Elizabeth Waller as Elizabeth Burkhart (3-5 years)
Jessica Harjo as Pearl (Henry's Girlfriend)
Joey Oglesby as Roy Bunch
Alexis Ann as Mary Roan
Gary S. Pratt as Bank Manager
Nathaniel Arcand as Ancestor Warrior
Lee Eddy as Mrs. Mackie
Kristin Keith as Speakeasy Prostitute
Bravery Nowlin as Cowboy (2-3 years)
Edward Gray Sr. as Fleeing Osage Family
Angela Pratt as Fleeing Osage Family
Henry Amos Gray as Fleeing Osage Family
Samuel Gray as Fleeing Osage Family
Edward Gray Jr. as Fleeing Osage Family
Mamie Cozad as Baby Anna (at naming)
Shonagh Smith as Nettie Berkshire
Joel Tallchief Lemon as Fairfax Explosion Responder
Richard Lookout RulingHisSun as Fairfax Explosion Responder
Brett Bower as Fairfax Explosion Responder
Garrison Panzer as Rodeo Announcer
River Rhoades as Cowboy (4-5 years)
Zack T. Morris as Osage Delegation Member
Harrison Shackelford as Osage Delegation Member
Alexis Waller as Elizabeth Burkhart (5-6 years)
Mark Landon Smith as President Coolidge
Tom Ashmore as Tribal Council Interpreter
Myron F. Red Eagle as Osage Man Town Dance
Dolores Marie Goodeagle as Osage Woman Town Dance
Matt Tolentino as Town Dance Band
Johnny Baier as Town Dance Band
Gregory Fallis as Town Dance Band
Patrick Bubert as Town Dance Band
TJ Muller as Town Dance Band
Will Reardon-Anderson as Town Dance Band
Peter Reardon-Anderson as Town Dance Band
Kyle Dillingham as Town Dance Band
Jacob Johnson as Town Dance Band
Jeffrey Stevenson as Town Dance Band
Clint Rohr as Town Dance Band
D. Reride Smith as Hale's Ranch Hand
Samuel French as Agent CJ Robinson
James Healy Jr. as 2nd Insurance Man
Jeremy Goodvoice as Pony Watching Man
Ron McMahan as Old Timer
Seth Buckminster as Barber
Penny Potts as Ballet Instructor
Melissa Tiger as Pony Watching Woman
Karen Garlitz as Tillie Stepson
Bronson Redeagle as Tillie's Son
Jenny Paige Lynn as Tillie's Daughter
David Born as Kelsie's Lawyer
Mary Buss as John Ramsey's Wife
Ted Welch as Reporter #1
Carl Palmer as Reporter #2
Tanner Brantley as Marshall Gunman
Jezy Gray as Hale's Secretary
Steve Eastin as Judge John C. Pollock
Joe Chrest as Lawyer Freeling
Brian Shoop as Mr. Kraceon
James Carroll as Mr. Solowey
Lux Britni Malaske as Baby Anna (2 years)
Adam Washington as Acolyte
Larry Jack Dotson as Jailer
Larry Fessenden as Radio Voice (for Hale)
Welker White as Radio Voice (Hale's Relative)
Martin Scorsese as Radio Show Producer
Marko Costanzo as Radio Sound Effects
Nicholas White as Radio Sound Effects
Rob Fisher as Radio Show Conductor
Vince Giordano as Radio Show Band Leader
Paul Woodiel as Radio Show Orchestra
Andy Stein as Radio Show Orchestra
Sam Bardfeld as Radio Show Orchestra
Joe Boga as Radio Show Orchestra
Jon-Erik Kellso as Radio Show Orchestra
Jim Fryer as Radio Show Orchestra
Marc Phaneuf as Radio Show Orchestra
Mark Lopeman as Radio Show Orchestra
Chris Byars as Radio Show Orchestra
Vinny Raniolo as Radio Show Orchestra
Paul Wells as Radio Show Orchestra
Peter Yarin as Radio Show Orchestra
Scott George as End Celebration Osage Head Singer
Kenneth Bighorse Jr. as End Celebration Osage Head Singer
Vann Bighorse as End Celebration Osage Head Singer
Anna L. Bighorse as End Celebration Osage Singer
Mason Bighorse as End Celebration Osage Singer
Norris Bighorse as End Celebration Osage Singer
Scott Bighorse as End Celebration Osage Singer
Paul Bighorse as End Celebration Osage Singer
Taveah Ann George as End Celebration Osage Singer
Wahwastoas J. Jones as End Celebration Osage Singer
Dobbin Monoessy Knifechief as End Celebration Osage Singer
Julia Lookout as End Celebration Osage Singer
Jennifer Moses as End Celebration Osage Singer
Francis Pipestem Jr. as End Celebration Osage Singer
Michael Paul Pahsetopah as End Celebration Osage Singer
Silas Satepauhoodle as End Celebration Osage Singer
Cherylyn Oberly Satepauhoodle as End Celebration Osage Singer
Charisse Satepauhoodle as End Celebration Osage Singer
Lynette Satepauhoodle as End Celebration Osage Singer
John Shaw as End Celebration Osage Singer
Angela Toineeta Satepauhoodle as End Celebration Osage Singer
Alexandria Toineeta as End Celebration Osage Singer
Ed Yellowfish as End Celebration Osage Singer
Danny Frost as Businessman (uncredited)
Eric Parkinson as Deputy Marshal (uncredited)
Craig Castaldo as Radio Man (uncredited)

Who talks, scene by scene

Lines of dialogue in every 4 scenes, start to finish. Women above the line, men below. 6% of lines come from characters we couldn't match to the cast list and aren't shown.

Women

Men

Scene 1 Scene 182

Hover, tap or tab to a bar to see those scenes: where they happen and who's talking.

Show the numbers

Scenes	Women's lines	Men's lines
1 to 4	0	7
5 to 8	8	50
9 to 12	0	20
13 to 16	3	8
17 to 20	0	5
21 to 24	24	27
25 to 28	10	8
29 to 32	7	24
33 to 36	5	2
37 to 40	15	17
41 to 44	5	8
45 to 48	3	34
49 to 52	6	11
53 to 56	0	4
57 to 60	7	22
61 to 64	3	12
65 to 68	0	45
69 to 72	2	39
73 to 76	0	1
77 to 80	3	19
81 to 84	3	29
85 to 88	1	6
89 to 92	6	11
93 to 96	1	21
97 to 100	15	54
101 to 104	2	5
105 to 108	7	15
109 to 112	5	33
113 to 116	2	29
117 to 120	0	20
121 to 124	0	12
125 to 128	0	18
129 to 132	0	7
133 to 136	0	8
137 to 140	0	7
141 to 144	1	5
145 to 148	0	34
149 to 152	2	15
153 to 156	0	32
157 to 160	0	7
161 to 164	0	14
165 to 168	1	30
169 to 172	6	56
173 to 176	0	15
177 to 180	7	88
181 to 182	1	47

The evidence

Straight from the script
Counted from the script and the credits

Tap an exhibit to open it.

Exhibit A: the passing scenes

The scene our parser counted as passing, word for word.

ANNA SANFORD: Age 41, No investigation. MOLLIE: ROSE LEWIS: Age 25, No investigation. MOLLIE: And Sara Butler... Age 21... KOTFM - Final Shooting Script - August 10, 2022 29. MOLLIE: ...suicide.

LIZZIE LIZZIE: I don't want you, I want Thee-eh konbrah mah-zhee Anna. meenk-sheh, Anna konbrah meenk-sheh. AUNT ANNIE: ... huh... This one's more white than that one... You'd hardly know this one's a half-breed would you?

LIZZIE LIZZIE: You're wild. Dah-eh-thah-leen-zhee thah- een-sheh. LIZZIE LIZZIE: You're my best blessing. Thahk'eh-ahn-kee-theh oh- tsee wee-dah neenk-sheh. ANNA ANNA: I'm your favorite? Kee-oh-xtah ahn-shkah-xah- peh? LIZZIE LIZZIE: Yes. Stay with me here. Ahn-hain. Theh-kah zhoh-ahn- leh wah-spah.

ANNA ANNA: Don't worry little sister. Oak-ka shea-ga inka, wee-day- jee. MOLLIE: Get her straight home.

Exhibit B: every 100 lines

Out of every 100 lines with a known speaker, 14 are women's.

161 lines from women, 981 from men.

Women
Men

Exhibit C: who's in it

17 women and 66 men in the cast. 12 women and 52 men from it get lines.

Characters

With lines

Women
Men

Exhibit D: who gets heard

The first woman speaks at line 66 of 1,216. The longest stretch with no woman speaking runs 148 lines.

Every line of dialogue, first to last

First line by a woman
Longest stretch with no woman speaking

Words spoken

Women speak 10% of the words (1,427), men 90% (12,265). Women have 14% of the lines, so their lines run shorter than men's.

Exhibit E: the test the other way

Two named men talk to each other about something besides a woman. It passes the reverse test.

Conversations between two named characters

Two women

Two men

Exhibit F: behind the camera

4 of the 14 people in these jobs are women. Across the whole crew, 30% of the people whose gender is listed are women.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese (man)
Written by: Martin Scorsese (man), Eric Roth (man)
Produced by: Daniel Lupi (man), Martin Scorsese (man), Dan Friedkin (man), Bradley Thomas (man)
Shot by: Rodrigo Prieto (man)
Edited by: Thelma Schoonmaker (woman)
Music by: Robbie Robertson (man)
Production design by: Jack Fisk (man)
Costumes by: Jacqueline West (woman)
Cast by: Rene Haynes (woman), Ellen Lewis (woman)