Cousins

Play trailer

1:24

Cousins

Released Jul 2, 2021

1h 38m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Mata, Missy and Makareta. Three cousins. Three lives. Separated by circumstances, yet bound together by blood. Orphaned Mata believes she has no whanau and lives out her lonely childhood in fear and bewilderment. Back home on the land, educated Makareta flees an arranged marriage to study law and begin the search for her missing cousin. She leaves behind cheeky yet dutiful Missy who takes on her role of kaitiaki (guardian) of the land. As the years pass, loss of the family land seems imminent and the women's promise to bring their stolen cousin home seems more unlikely than ever, until a chance encounter changes everything.

Fionnuala Halligan

Screen International

A sprawling story of separation and disposession which feels both intimate in terms of its setting and epic in resonance.

Jul 30, 2021

Full Review

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Cousins can be harrowing as well as rewarding, but it's a small gem.

Jul 30, 2021

Full Review

Devika Girish

New York Times

The film trembles with sound, color and feeling, deriving much of its power from an excellent ensemble cast.

Jul 1, 2021

Full Review

Graeme Tuckett

Stuff.co.nz

Cousins is a genuine and heartfelt drama, with some astonishing performances and directorial work at its heart.

Nov 7, 2022

Full Review

Cris Kennedy

The Canberra Times (Australia)

Raw in story and rich in performance, the Kiwi film Cousins explores Maori connection to and disconnection from country.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 16, 2022

Full Review

Leslie Combemale

AWFJ.org

A lovely, moving tribute to the unbreakable ties that love makes, created by some of the best female filmmakers in world film. Te Ao Māori, or the Māori world view, suffuses Cousins.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 14, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Lance N

A powerful movie of Maori values and how they are survival in a colonized world. A must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

Jeremy S

Important and worthy movie showing the mistreatment of the Maoris through a human tale. Wish it had gripped me more than it did

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

Peter W

Cousins will undoubtedly touch the hearts of many movie lovers, whether due to the solid and unforgettable performances from the actors or the story and journey on-screen, and this film does leave something inside its audience. Pacing is slightly questionable as the film cuts back and forth from past and present, making it somewhat challenging to keep track of characters. No matter, there is an enjoyable strength here reminding us about family and love that will please many.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

Full Review

Andrew M

The plot hard to follow, too many crying scenes

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/01/23

Full Review

Kate

Stunning, emotional, must watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

john t

Fascinating character interplay. Definitely not a formula movie. Strong performances by nearly all. Moving, thought provoking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ainsley Gardiner

Director

Briar Grace Smith

Director

Rachel House

Missy

Miriama Smith

Keita

Chelsie Preston Crayford

Adult Jean

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne

Adult Makareta

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Juniper

94%

79%

Juniper

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Juniper

The Justice of Bunny King

95%

95%

The Justice of Bunny King

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Justice of Bunny King

Women Do Cry

75%

%

Women Do Cry

Watchlist

Bantú Mama

90%

40%

Bantú Mama

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

11 Films and TV Series That Give Power to Pacific Islander Voices

2022 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month TV & Streaming Calendar

Cousins: Trailer 1

1:24

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Mata, Missy and Makareta. Three cousins. Three lives. Separated by circumstances, yet bound together by blood. Orphaned Mata believes she has no whanau and lives out her lonely childhood in fear and bewilderment. Back home on the land, educated Makareta flees an arranged marriage to study law and begin the search for her missing cousin. She leaves behind cheeky yet dutiful Missy who takes on her role of kaitiaki (guardian) of the land. As the years pass, loss of the family land seems imminent and the women's promise to bring their stolen cousin home seems more unlikely than ever, until a chance encounter changes everything.

Director: Ainsley Gardiner, Briar Grace Smith
Producer: Georgina Allison Conder, Ainsley Gardiner, Libby Hakaraia
Screenwriter: Briar Grace Smith, Briar Grace Smith
Distributor: ARRAY Releasing
Production Co: New Zealand Film Commission
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 22, 2021
Runtime: 1h 38m