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Mārama

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Mārama Apr 2026 1h 29m Horror Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 44 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.
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Mārama

Mārama

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Critics Consensus

Thoughtfully informed by Māori culture and the legacy of colonialism, Mārama is an unsettling gothic horror told with invigorating flair.

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Critics Reviews

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Alison Foreman IndieWire May 18
A-
Mārama bears a striking clarity of purpose -- suggesting the horror genre still possesses the ability to turn even a long-ago moment of righteous fury into communal confrontation and spiritual release. Go to Full Review
Valerie Complex The Nerds of Color May 5
What Stoppard does beautifully is inject bits of cultural lore across the visual landscape of the film. Go to Full Review
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, Go to Full Review
Michael Ward Should I See It 4d
4/5
Exceptional costume design, along with striking sound design and gorgeous cinematography instantly sets Mārama apart from films of a similar style. Go to Full Review
Matt Oakes Silver Screen Riot May 14
B-
Though more atmospheric than genuinely scary, Stappard’s handsomely mounted production is fueled by a clear-eyed rage against colonialism’s long shadow. Go to Full Review
Liam Lacey Original Cin May 13
B+
Heavy-handed but visually memorable, Mārama favours impact over nuance in this Gothic drama on the sins of colonialism. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rett May 6 The cinematography is beautiful See more Uriah Wesman Apr 21 Outstanding Gothic Horror. With some brilliant shots. Highly recommend See more jose c Apr 18 We loved the story. It was tragic and haunting. A great gothic horror to add to the collection. See more Elizabeth 1d This is a visually stunning, emotionally resonant film. The performances- especially that of Ariana Osborne in the titular role- are the kinds of powerful renditions that demand your suspension of disbelief and stay with you long after youve left the theater and moved on with your life. The plot unwinds more than unfolds. Drawing upon the conventions of ghost story, murder mystery, and gothic horror, Toa Stappards Marama is a story of a fierce woman who confronts great powers in an effort to bring justice to the perpetrator(s) of horrific series of multigenerational crimes against her family and her people. It is also a pretty satisfying revenge fantasy. If you want to watch a woman take on colonialism, racism, sexual violence, cultural annihilation, mysogeny, and basic human evil- and come as close to winning as an individual might hope to do, see this film. See more Rick C @RMRick 2d Marama is a beautifully written and well-shot film about the horrors of colonization. The 'horror' part of Marama is well done, not overwrought, and follows the storyline to perfection. See more Rhys D @rhyspiece May 21 My girlfriend called this one of the best movies she'd ever seen. I needed several hours afterwards to process my emotions, I swear a horror movie - or for that matter, any movie - has never made me so tense, so hanging on to every action. I've been looking ever since we saw it for a place I could watch it again. I have so many people I need to show it to. See more Read all reviews
Mārama

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Movie Info

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