Reservation Dogs

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you live in a similar cultural bubble as I do, you might have initially thought the title was a mistake and should read Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino’s ultimate violent movie. I only discovered Reservation Dogs by reading a review of The Lowdown, another TV series showing now on FX and Disney+.

Both are creations of Sterlin Harjo and take place in the same universe, and both feature Ethan Hawke and Kaniehtiio Horn playing distinct characters in each series. Reservation Dogs (co-created with Taika Waititi) is the first American television series to feature all Indigenous writers, directors and mostly Indigenous cast.

The authenticity is clear from the first episode, which introduces the main characters: Devery Jacobs (Elora Danan Postoak), D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Bear Smallhill), Lane Factor (Chester 'Cheese' Williams), and Paulina Alexis (Wilhelmina Jacqueline 'Willie Jack' Sampson). They form a self-described gang called Rez Dogs, 'committing crimes and solving them'.

Not since Stand by Me, Stephen King's seminal coming-of-age movie, has a writer/director captured childhood as authentically as Harjo does here. It's a heartwarming drama that isn't afraid to poke fun at itself, twisting stereotypes with what feels like an accurate depiction of life for kids on a reservation."

I highly recommend the series. Especially for us unfamiliar with Indigenous cultures.

Four out of five stars.