Hidden Motives
Why does Ernest agree to Hale’s plans despite his love for Mollie?
He's manipulated by Hale and enticed by money and status
What does Hale mean when he says, “This is a land rich in blessings... and burdens”?
He’s justifying the exploitation of the Osage people
How is Rita’s house blown up without immediate suspicion?
It is staged as a gas explosion
What event do the Osage host that reflects their cultural pride and wealth?
A lavish wedding
What does Mollie do after Ernest’s courtroom confession?
Walks away silently
What personal weakness makes Ernest vulnerable to Hale’s control?
His desire to please and his dependency on others
What emotion does Mollie show when speaking to the white doctors and lawyers?
Distrust and frustration
Who is used as the fall guy for the explosion of Rita’s home?
Henry Roan
What landmark is shown repeatedly to emphasize Osage connection to the land?
The oil fields and ceremonial grounds
How is Ernest punished for his role in the crimes?
He serves time but later is released
Why does Hale arrange for Anna's death to look like a drunken disappearance?
To deflect suspicion and make it seem unrelated to the inheritance
What does Ernest’s silence in key scenes communicate more than his words?
His guilt and internal conflict
What document is forged to ensure headrights are transferred after deaths?
Wills and legal inheritance documents
Where does Ernest go when he wants to escape the pressure from Hale and the FBI?
A bar or brothel, often drinking to cope
What happens to the FBI’s public reputation after the case?
It grows as this becomes a landmark case for the Bureau
Why does the doctor continue to give Mollie poisoned insulin?
He is paid off and part of the conspiracy to kill her
When Ernest tells Mollie he gave her the insulin, what’s her response?
Silent heartbreak and withdrawal
How is the local law enforcement complicit in the crimes?
They turn a blind eye or are paid off by Hale
What does the repeated visual of burning oil represent?
Wealth, corruption, and destruction
What storytelling method is used at the film’s end to explain the aftermath?
A radio drama-style reenactment
Why does Bryan Burkhart drive Anna on the night she’s killed?
To isolate her so that she can be murdered without witnesses
What does the term “wolves” symbolize when used by Mollie?
The predators among them—those pretending to be allies but who exploit them
What happens to the man who testifies against Hale early in the investigation?
He is mysteriously killed before trial
What contrast is made between Osage homes and white settler homes?
Osage homes are grand; whites exploit while pretending to be humble
What final message is given about Mollie’s legacy in the closing text?
She remarried and refused to speak of Ernest again, reclaiming her dignity