Yellowstone fans, we just found your next watch!
If you've never seen Wind River (or if it's been a while), now is a good time to revisit it. The 2017 film, which was written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, is now available to stream on Netflix—and it feels like a natural companion to the world he later built in Yellowstone.
Set in Wyoming, the movie follows a U.S. Fish and Wildlife tracker (Jeremy Renner) who discovers the body of a young woman (Kelsey Asbille) on the Wind River Indian Reservation. An FBI agent, played by Elizabeth Olsen, is sent in to investigate, and what unfolds is a haunting crime drama set against the wide-open, rugged landscapes that Sheridan clearly loves to write about.
What makes this movie especially interesting for Yellowstone viewers is how many familiar faces show up. Kelsey Asbille, who plays Monica on Yellowstone, has a key role here, and Gil Birmingham, who's known to fans as Thomas Rainwater, is also part of the cast. So is Hugh Dillon, who went on to play Sheriff Haskell in Yellowstone. And if you look closely, you’ll even spot Ian Bohen, who starred as Ryan in Season 3. The film isn't connected to Yellowstone in any way, but it's still fun to see so many familiar faces in one place!
Wind River actually came out the same year Yellowstone premiered, and in a lot of ways, it feels like a preview of the themes Sheridan would continue exploring. It's definitely darker than Yellowstone at times and doesn't revolve around the politics of land ownership, but if you're drawn to Sheridan's style, you'll recognize it right away.
With Marshals premiering March 1 and The Madison arriving later this month, there's already a lot on the calendar for anyone invested in Sheridan's world. But if you want something to watch right now—something that feels familiar without being the same story —Wind River is right there waiting for you!
