Mārama

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Mārama

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1h 29m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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36 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

1859, North Yorkshire. When young Māori woman Mary arrives from New Zealand, she's trapped as governess to a wealthy whaler's granddaughter. Living among her ancestors' stolen artifacts, she uncovers Sir Cole's horrific crimes. Embracing her Matakite powers, Mary becomes Mārama and must save Anne and avenge her family by destroying him.

Valerie Complex

The Nerds of Color

2d

What Stoppard does beautifully is inject bits of cultural lore across the visual landscape of the film.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Apr 30

3/5

What makes Mārama intriguing is that this becomes the background for a story of cultural revenge, even if the conventions of the genre often threaten to engulf those more subtle aspects,

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Carlos Aguilar

RogerEbert.com

Apr 17

2.5/4

The fury of Osborne’s performance, nonetheless, keeps ‘Mārama' a worthy anti-colonialist statement that harnesses the symbolic virtues of genre cinema for its understandably virulent tone.

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

2d

3.5/4

Even for those who don't normally gravitate toward Gothic horror, Mārama is absolutely worth it just to see one woman right several generations' worth of wrongs with the sheer force of her will.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

3d

Writer and director Taratoa Stappard’s feature film debut may be obvious in its trajectory but satisfying. More please. It would make a terrific double feature with "Is She Is"

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Kyle Arpke

Geek Vibes Nation

Apr 29

9/10

There’s a visual nature within the Māori culture that’s now on display in the art form that is filmmaking. To experience it is a wonderful thing.

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Rett

2d

The cinematography is beautiful

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Uriah Wesman

Apr 21

Outstanding Gothic Horror. With some brilliant shots. Highly recommend

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jose c

Apr 18

We loved the story. It was tragic and haunting. A great gothic horror to add to the collection.

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Rouzie H

@RT23929474 Apr 30

A chilling and important indigenous story about cultural appropriation and theft. A must see!

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noa N

@noazerty Apr 30

Beautifully shot with incredible landscapes and a deeply unsettling atmosphere to slowly reveal something much more powerful underneath: an intelligent critique of imperialism.

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Badie A

@badiefilmfan Apr 30

Māori revenge gothic done right. Taratoa Stappard directs with patience and conviction, and Ariana Osborne is ferocious. The third act goes hard. Stays with you.

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Taratoa Stappard

Director

Ariāna Osborne

Mary

Toby Stephens

Nathaniel Cole

Umi Myers

Peggy

Evelyn Towersey

Anne

Erroll Shand

Jack Fenton

Mārama: Trailer 1

2:07

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Synopsis

1859, North Yorkshire. When young Māori woman Mary arrives from New Zealand, she's trapped as governess to a wealthy whaler's granddaughter. Living among her ancestors' stolen artifacts, she uncovers Sir Cole's horrific crimes. Embracing her Matakite powers, Mary becomes Mārama and must save Anne and avenge her family by destroying him.

Director: Taratoa Stappard
Producer: Sharlene George, RickyLee Waipuka-Russell, Rouzie Hassanova, Paraone Gloyne
Screenwriter: Taratoa Stappard
Distributor: Dark Sky Films / Watermelon Pictures
Production Co: MPI Media Group, Sweetshop Entertainment, Vendetta Films
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 29m