Mārama

Synopsis

A deeply moving gothic revenge film set in the mid-1800s, Mārama follows Mary Stevens on a lengthy journey from Aotearoa, New Zealand to North Yorkshire, England, as she searches for answers about her long-lost Māori birth family.

Under the sinister shadow of the British Empire, Mary arrives at the estate of wealthy whaler and Māori culture dilettante Sir Nathaniel Cole (Toby Stephens), only to discover that the man who promised her information about her parents has died. Stranded after her arduous journey in an unwelcoming manor, Mary begrudgingly accepts Nathaniel’s uncomfortably solicitous invitation to stay on as a governess to his daughter. Trying to find her footing in the dark corridors of a new home that treats precious Māori items as little more than set dressing and status symbols, Mary starts experiencing strange visions and unfamiliar memories that guide her toward the horrific truth of her ancestral past. Soon, she embarks on a blood-soaked path of righteous retribution.

A striking debut feature that breaks bold new ground for gothic horror, this searing colonial critique is bolstered by lush period costumes and stifling interiors, broody cinematography, and the unwavering strength of Ariāna Osborne’s performance as Mary.