Indian Horse
2018·Drama·1h 36m
7.0
★
Follows the life of Native Canadian Saul Indian Horse as he survives residential school and life amongst the racism of the 1970s. A talented hockey player, Saul must find his own path as he battles stereotypes and alcoholism.
Directed by Stephen S. Campanelli
based on novel or book
1970s
ice hockey
racism
residential school
first nations
abuse
assimilation
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Sladen Peltier
Saul (6 years)
Forrest Goodluck
Saul (15 years)
Ajuawak Kapashesit
Saul (22 Years)
Edna Manitowabi
Naomi
Michael Murphy
Father Quinney
Michiel Huisman
Father Gaston
Martin Donovan
Jack Lanahan
Johnny Issaluk
Sam
Jill Frappier
Sister Sara
Anders Yates
Father Murphy
Irene Poole
Sister Ignacia
Crew
Yves Bélanger
Director of Photography
Aaron L. Gilbert
Executive Producer
Roger Frappier
Executive Producer
Christine Haebler
Producer
Roger Frappier
Producer
Clint Eastwood
Executive Producer
Justin Kelly
Line Producer
Popular Reviews
75 reviews
QuitoM
5.0★ · 02/23/26
no horses, didn’t even get to finish
no horses, didn’t even get to finish
Isaac Stacey
7.0★ · 01/24/26
As devastating as it is tragic, Indian Horse is a rather faithful adaptation of the outstanding novel by Richard Wagamese, one of two books written by him which I had the pleasure of reading back in my high school English class, the other being Medicine Walk, which is just as good if not better. I’m not entirely sure if the film successfully honours the legacy Wagamese left behind, but it does its best to show the horrors of the residential schools and the effect it had on many First Nations people and communities in Canada. If you ever get the chance, I’d say read the book, it has much more emotional depth and authenticity and handles the subject matter with more shocking clarity of what really happened. This film was still impressive but it’s still important to honour the work of a legendary Indigenous storyteller.
As devastating as it is tragic, Indian Horse is a rather faithful adaptation of the outstanding novel by Richard Wagamese, one of two books written by him which I had the pleasure of reading back in my high school English class, the other being Medicine Walk, which is just as good if not better. I’m not entirely sure if the film successfully honours the legacy Wagamese left behind, but it does its best to show the horrors of the residential schools and the effect it had on many First Nations people and communities in Canada. If you ever get the chance, I’d say read the book, it has much more emotional depth and authenticity and handles the subject matter with more shocking clarity of what really happened. This film was still impressive but it’s still important to honour the work of a legendary Indigenous storyteller.
Jimmy Wpaylel
7.0★ · 12/17/25
This film is an important one, and I think everyone should watch it.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
This film is an important one, and I think everyone should watch it.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
Jimmy Wpaylel
7.0★ · 12/17/25
This film is an important one, and I think everyone should watch it.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
This film is an important one, and I think everyone should watch it.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
I hate to sound biased since I’ve read the book, but it’s hard to talk about Indian Horse without acknowledging the novel. Because of that, this will be a short review.
The movie feels rushed and plays things too safe.
I wish it leaned harder into the heavier subject matter from the book, because the film comes off a little too PG-13 for the story it’s adapting.
A lot is left unexplained, and without prior context from the novel, certain moments are hard to fully understand.
That said, the feeling of the book is still there, and the overall story and message still stand.
Some character and location name changes feel unnecessary, and a major portion of the book is skipped entirely.
Overall, I’d say the film is about 65% accurate to the novel.
I still recommend watching the film—but I strongly suggest reading the book first.
Xavier Morency
6.0★ · 12/15/25
I get the moral and the historical part but the movie is just not really good.Had to Watch it for school.
I get the moral and the historical part but the movie is just not really good.Had to Watch it for school.