Title: Mārama
MPA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Taratoa Stappard
Starring: Ariana Osborne, Toby Stephens, Umi Myers
Runtime: 1 hr 29 mins

What It Is: It’s 1859, and Mary (Osborne) has been called from her native New Zealand to England. What brings her there? News of her father, whom she has never met. When she arrives, she’s greeted by Nathaniel (Stephens), who invites her to stay in his mansion and live with him. He feels as if they are somehow connected. Nathaniel’s family is familiar with New Zealand because of their involvement in the whaling industry. However, Mary’s focus remains on uncovering the missing pieces surrounding her family.

What We Think: I loved this film. One of the biggest reasons is the absolutely spectacular performance from Ariana Osborne. She defines Mary as a character, and she goes through so much that we feel like we are right there with her. The party scene in particular is otherworldly work. Toby Stephens is disgustingly good, and I loved how vile he was. This was featured in the Fantastic Fest program with the descriptor “FUCK COLONIZERS,” and I immediately knew I had to see it. Taratoa Stappard, like Mary, is of Māori descent and tells a story that is far more familiar to people within the culture than one would like. He even includes some of the Māori language in the film.

Our Grade: B+, Featuring gorgeously dark Gothic cinematography, this is a visually stunning film. Combined with excellent performances, there is something here that horror fans will love, and plenty for everyone else to enjoy. Watching colonizers reap what they sow has to be a top ten experience for any POC living in 2025 America, especially for someone native to land once taken over by the British Empire. Buckle your seatbelt for the third act. It is a wild ride, and it is absolutely worth it.

No offers available for this configuration.

Source: