First trailer for Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Wind River’ drops
The Weinstein Company has debuted the first trailer for Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, set for theatrical release this August.
The film is set in Wyoming and follows Cory Lambert, a tracker on the Wind River Indian Reserve. Lost and alone, he stumbles upon the body of a murdered local girl, causing the FBI to send in a rookie recruit to help solve the case.
Wind River is the “chilling” second feature from Sheridan (Sicario), who made his directorial debut with the 2011 film Vile, and highlights issues within a Native American community ravaged by violence and isolation, “where the law of men fades against pitiless nature”.
The flick screened at this month’s Cannes Film Festival to a standing ovation; if that wasn’t enough for him, at the same platform where Hell or High Water debuted last year Sheridan was handed the Un Certain Regard award for best director.
Hell or High Water, written by Sheridan, was also given an August release and subsequently received Oscar nods for Best Original Screenplay and Best Motion Picture of the Year. Could he achieve similar success with Wind River? It’s worth considering.
The thriller stars Jeremy Renner (The Avengers, Arrival, The Hurt Locker) and Elizabeth Olsen (I Saw the Light, Godzilla, Old Boy) in the lead. The supporting cast includes Jon Bernthal (Fury, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Walking Dead), Graham Greene (Dancing with Wolves, The Green Mile), Gil Birmingham (Twilight), Julia Jones (Jonah Hex), Kelsey Asbille (Run), and James Jordan (The Endless).
Wind River is scheduled for theatrical release on August 4, 2017; see the trailer here.
Critical Reception and Awards
Wind River earned an 87 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 254 reviews, with critics praising the smart writing and the stark Wyoming setting. Metacritic gave the film a 73 out of 100. The movie collected 22 wins and 30 nominations overall, including a Critics’ Choice Seal of Distinction and multiple trophies at the C&I Movie Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor.
Box Office Performance
Produced on an $11 million budget, Wind River ultimately grossed $45 million worldwide. Domestic and international totals both contributed to the profit margin, confirming that the low-cost neo-Western could compete with bigger studio releases during awards season.
Streaming Legacy and Modern Availability
Years after its theatrical run, Wind River continued to find new viewers on Netflix. The film landed multiple appearances in the United States Top 10, peaking at number nine in late 2025, and it was included in 2026 roundups of the platform’s best thrillers. Its themes of isolation and justice remain resonant for contemporary audiences.
Distribution and Weinstein Company Aftermath
After the 2017 Weinstein scandal, home media rights moved to Lionsgate in October of that year. Taylor Sheridan requested that The Weinstein Company name and logo be removed from all credits and promotional materials. Any proceeds tied to Weinstein were directed toward charitable donations, a condition the director insisted upon before signing off on the new arrangement.
Release Information now reads as historical record. Wind River opened in theaters on August 4, 2017 through The Weinstein Company. Home media and streaming rights later shifted to Lionsgate, and the title has remained available on Netflix and additional platforms through 2025 and 2026. Reception and Impact expanded beyond the Cannes ovation to include the 87 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, the 73 Metacritic rating, and the full tally of 22 wins that included Breakthrough Director honors for Sheridan. Cast and Performances kept the original lineup intact while noting that Jeremy Renner received particular praise and won C&I Best Actor, supported by a strong ensemble featuring Graham Greene and Gil Birmingham. Director Background recorded the Sicario and Hell or High Water writing credits that preceded Wind River, identified the film as Sheridan’s directorial debut, and placed it as the foundation for his later work creating Yellowstone. Themes and Setting stayed centered on the neo-Western crime story set on the Wind River Indian Reservation, with the added detail that the modest $11 million budget delivered a $45 million worldwide gross.
