Mārama (film)
2025 film by Taratoa Stappard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mārama is a 2025 New Zealand gothic horror film written and directed by Taratoa Stappard in his directorial debut. It stars Ariāna Osborne, Umi Myers, Evelyn Towersey, Errol Shand, Jordan Mooney, Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels, Turia Schmidt Peke, and Toby Stephens.
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- Sharlene George
- Rickylee Russell-Waipuka
- Rouzie Hassanova
- Ariāna Osborne
- Umi Myers
- Evelyn Towersey
- Errol Shand
- Jordan Mooney
- Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels
- Turia Schmidt Peke
- Toby Stephens
| Mārama | |
|---|---|
Poster | |
| Directed by | Taratoa Stappard |
| Written by | Taratoa Stappard |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Gin Loane |
| Edited by | Dan Kircher |
| Music by |
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Production company | Sweetshop Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Vendetta Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Languages |
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| Box office | $125,785[1] |
The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, and was theatrically released in New Zealand on 12 February 2026.
Premise
Upon receiving a letter from a mysterious stranger claiming to have information about her parents, orphan Mary Stevens (Mārama) arrives in Yorkshire, England to find out more about her whakapapa.
On her arrival at Hawkser Manor, she is eagerly met by Nathanial Cole, who offers her a position as governess for his granddaughter Ann, but the house does not feel right.[2]
Cast
- Ariāna Osborne as Mary Stevens / Mārama and Emilia / Te Haeata
- Toby Stephens as Nathanial Cole
- Umi Myers as Peggy
- Errol Shand as Jack Fenton
- Evelyn Towersey as Anne / Anahera
- Jordan Mooney as Arthur Cole
- Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels as Hinemoana
- Turia Schmidt Peke as Arorangi
- Elliot Blakely as Thomas Boyd
Production
The film is from writer-director Taratoa Stappard, with Sharlene George producing for The Sweetshop. Ricky Russell-Waipuka and Rouzie Hassanova are also producing with Paraone Gloyne as Māori language and culture producer. Executive Producers include Victoria Dabbs and Gal Greenspan for Sweetshop Entertainment, Jill Macnab and Phil Bremner for Vendetta Films and Badie Ali, Hamza Ali and Greg Newman for MPI Media.[3]
The cast is led by Ariāna Osborne, Toby Stephens, and Umi Myers and also features Erroll Shand and Jordan Mooney.[4]
The film was developed with support from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga (The New Zealand Film Commission), imagineNATIVE, The Black List, Toronto International Film Festival, the Zurich Film Festival and the Berlinale Co-Production Market. The film is made in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Whakaata Māori and Images & Sound. Principal photography took place in late-2024 in Auckland and in the Otago region.[5][6]
Release
Mārama had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September.[7] Before the premiere, North American rights were negotiated by Dark Sky Films and Watermelon Pictures, with a release set for the first quarter of 2026.[8] It was theatrically released in New Zealand by Vendetta Films on 12 February 2026,[9][10] followed by a limited release in the United States by Dark Sky Films and Watermelon Pictures on 17 April.[11]
Home media
Mārama was made available to rent exclusively on Letterboxd Video Store for video on demand on 25 May 2026.[12][non-primary source needed]
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 49 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Thoughtfully informed by Māori culture and the legacy of colonialism, Mārama is an unsettling gothic horror told with invigorating flair."[13]