Movie review: 'Birds Who Fear Death' tells intriguing indigenous story

“Reservation Dogs” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” whetted appetites for Native American stories. Lily Gladstone’s “Fancy Dance” and “Under the Bridge” showed what more there was to consider.

Now, there’s “The Birds Who Fear Death,” a look at two brothers who go deep into northern Canada to strike a deal with the indigenous people included in their father’s will. Determined to keep their Toronto restaurant afloat, they figure they can split the money and avoid the legal fees that would lower the take for everyone.

When they get to the town named Bird, they discover a different story and learn why residents aren’t all that keen on their father.

Both Adam (Adam Beach) and Ryan (Simon Baker) realize the deal isn’t going to be easy to broker – or what they might want. Both meet and warm to residents who could change their outlook.

Ryan, in particular, is smitten with a native woman, Constance (Tanaya Beatty), who has a son, Norman (Huxley Fisher) who can charm just about anyone. Her father, Ed (Graham Greene) is chief of the tribe and key to brokering the deal.

Adam, meanwhile, learns plenty from a council member (Caren Moore) who knows why the brothers’ father wasn’t exactly a local hero.

Director Sanjay Patel spills the truth in timely fashion and tells another indigenous story – one about the land they’re on – that should prompt discussion and make something like this resonate.

While staying at the Nowhere Inn, the Spence brothers meet a host of residents who let them know the “30 pieces of silver” lurking isn’t necessarily in their best interests. “The Birds Who Fear Death” has more than its share of funerals but much of the emotion hinges on that relationship Baker fosters with Beatty and Fisher. The boy’s first rodeo is pivotal to the story – and a real heartbreaker, particularly when you learn Norman’s fate. The always-good Greene gets a fun moment with the two, too, and makes the tribe’s side of the story wholly understandable.

While Patel gives Beach the greater focus (he’s a basketball coach who somehow leaves that concept in the dust), he doesn’t shortchange him on the drama. He gets a journey of discovery that lets the tragedy sink in and showcases Charles Hamilton’s impressive cinematography. Beach underplays and, in the process, delivers.

Details about the plight of Bird seep out. They don’t play a role until the two arrive in a place they never thought they’d stay.

Cameo performances make you want more; moments with Fisher’s Norman make you realize he’s the heart of this for both the brothers and the people of Bird.

A great look at those “other” stories lurking on reservations, “The Birds Who Fear Death” may be long on title but it’s not short on storytelling. There’s enough here to keep you engrossed and make you want to learn more.

“The Birds Who Fear Death” is currently on the film festival circuit. It features profanity and violence.