A tense murder mystery that’s strong in character and atmosphere, Wind River showcases screenwriter supreme Taylor Sheridan comfortably taking the reigns as director and delivering one of the best and most illuminating films of the year while doing so.

Taylor Sheridan is one of the best screenwriters working today. Yet that doesn’t necessarily mean making that leap to director will deliver a good movie. Robert Towne (The Two Jakes), William Monaghan (London Boulevard)… many an acclaimed screenwriter have tried, yet failed. Sheridan does not. With Wind River he delivers. He delivers big.

Wind River stars Jeremy Renner as Cory Lambert, a veteran game tracker for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. When working on the Wind River Native American reservation, Cory comes across the deceased body of a young Native American woman (Natalie Hanson). The discovery immediately resonates with Cody, who himself lost his daughter a few years previous.

Renner plays this man in mourning and of justice with an incredibly powerful magnetism. With every scene Renner commands the screen, portraying Cody with the strength and sensitivity (not weakness) he deserves, the kind of guy who you’d want to back you up in a gun fight but also give you a shoulder to cry on afterwards. Renner’s most lauded roles are those in which he plays the wild card (The Hurt Locker, The Town). Yet Wind River proves that the two-time Oscar nominee is just as effective, if not more so, in keeping those emotions simmering under the surface. It is no doubt one of the best turns in Renner’s career thus far.

Starring alongside Renner is Elizabeth Olsen. She plays Jane Banner, a rookie FBI agent sent to investigate the murder. Her character is first introduced ill-prepared for the deathly winter Wyoming weather she will have to combat during her investigation, an example of her gung-ho naivete that will continue to feature throughout. Jane asks Cody to assist her with the investigation, which leads them and us the viewer down avenues filled with thrills and dread, Sheridan doing a magnificent job racking up the tension with masterful ease.

Much like Renner, Olsen’s performance is her best since her 2011 breakthrough debut in Martha Marcy May Marlene. It is no surprise to find that both Renner and Olsen, along with the rest of the cast of Wind River, all turn in exceptional performances. Sheridan has a knack for writing great characters and great dialogue, with Sicario and Hell or High Water proving so.

No, the curiosity with Wind River is in Sheridan’s handle as director. It is a test passed with flying colours. From control of narrative, guidance of performances, through to the chilly atmosphere, Sheridan is firmly in control of all facets of Wind River, resulting in a character driven, perfectly paced (thanks to editor Gary Roach), and deeply felt crime thriller.

Wind River is on the surface a genre film, and quite an exceptional one at that. Yet underneath it's snow covered veneer is a film of strong political and social narrative, where issues ranging from the plight of Native Americans to sexism are tackled. That Sheridan can bring his point across on such issues without resorting to toxic identity politicising is a thing of brilliance.

Sheridan currently does not have any future directorial projects lined up. Hopefully Wind River will change that for the talented filmmaker.