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Mysterious Ways

Play trailer Poster for Mysterious Ways 2023 1h 30m Drama LGBTQ+ Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
MYSTERIOUS WAYS tells the powerful and courageous story of Peter (Richard Short, The Tragedy of Macbeth) and Jason (newcomer Nick Afoa) who become torn between faith and their love for each other. Peter, a white vicar in a small New Zealand town, wants to marry his Samoan boyfriend Jason in church, but when word gets out it scandalizes the devout local community and unleashes a media storm that tests the couple's relationship to the limit.
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Mysterious Ways

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Phil Hoad Guardian The film is all too focused on pushing its cause: same-sex marriage and greater flexibility of religious thought. In the process, it reduces its characters to flat ciphers. Rated: 2/5 Jun 4, 2024 Full Review Ben Turner The Pink Lens A mild character piece without any teeth, this is a drama that will leave the uninitiated with a rosier picture than is the truth. Rated: 3/5 Sep 21, 2024 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Short's dialogue sounds more like pulpit rhetoric than everyday speech and, consequently, the film's good intentions are not enough to prevent it from remaining self-righteous and mawkish. Rated: 2/5 Jul 31, 2024 Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall While it sometimes drifts into melodrama, the film remains engaging as it explores how religious people react with vehement hatred on the topic of sexuality. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 30, 2024 Full Review Alejandro Turdó Hoy Sale Cine Mysterious Ways shines a light over the Queer’s community faith seen as second class, and the fact that even though there will always be forces opposing change, nothing should ever get in the way of equality, not even religion. Rated: 7/10 Dec 28, 2023 Full Review Surya Komal Just for Movie Freaks Mysterious Ways emerges as a poignant drama, weaving a powerful narrative about love, faith, and societal scrutiny. Paul Oremland orchestrates a riveting tale brought to life by the exceptional chemistry between leads, Richard Short and Nick Afoa. Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 20, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (39) audience reviews
Tiuke K Very interesting take on how you mix religion with same sex marriage. I absolutely love it. It's pushing the envelope on what society considers taboo…. I'm all about pushing the issue with powerful story lines. The film shows both sides of the spectrum which I appreciate. Good film, lovable characters with strong performance by the actors. Richard Short was very good as the lead. Over all… well done! It’s definitely a must watch. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Kelly D A beautiful film! Thankful for the representation it brings to the screen. I encourage people from all walks of life to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/14/24 Full Review Dax A Without a doubt, the message in this film is one for the books. The challenges of religion and its beliefs versus love in its true form is explored from all angles in the relationship between Richard Short and Nick Afoa. Choosing to risk it all, they face a common problem we see in society today. That is what we do when our sexual preference becomes a point of judgment by the world's standards when choosing love. The ups and downs of this kept me engaged because I'm a sucker for topics like this. If you are looking for a great story that tackles the subject of love without fear, this is a film you may need to relax and watch on a Friday afternoon. I highly recommend it. - Dax Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/24 Full Review Nick H As an atheist cis man, this isn't the type of movie I'd generally go for. But I'd heard good things and I'm willing to give any film a chance. I felt like it's par for the course for faith based films or social injustice films (of which this is both!) to hammer you over the head with their message. Mysterious Ways is perfectly subtle and the characters are all realistically/naturally written and acted. The cast is great and I really enjoyed it! I've found myself thinking back on it days later. On the surface, the story follows a queer couple coming up against the walls built by their own faith. What I wasn't expecting was a really beautiful New Zealand Indigenous story, wrapped up in all of it. As someone who has spent a lot of time working with and enjoying indigenous cultures around the world, I was really touched how the director included this aspect in a film that shines a light on mainstream religious discourse as reflected through ignored social causes, invisible people, traditional beliefs, and a layered romance that continues to surprise you to the end. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/24 Full Review Audience Member Three words: I love Billy Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/24 Full Review Sara J Mysterious Ways is heart warming and has a surprise twist! My teenage daughter and I watched together and fell in love with the message and one of the characters in particular - Billy. This movie gives me hope for a better world, especially a more inclusive and loving church. A must see! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Mysterious Ways

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis MYSTERIOUS WAYS tells the powerful and courageous story of Peter (Richard Short, The Tragedy of Macbeth) and Jason (newcomer Nick Afoa) who become torn between faith and their love for each other. Peter, a white vicar in a small New Zealand town, wants to marry his Samoan boyfriend Jason in church, but when word gets out it scandalizes the devout local community and unleashes a media storm that tests the couple's relationship to the limit.
Director
Paul Oremland
Producer
Ngaire Fuata
Screenwriter
Paul Oremland, Harry McNaughton, Dianna Fuemana, Paul Oremland, Harry McNaughton
Distributor
Ariztical Entertainment
Production Co
Vada Productions, Iridescent Films, SunPix
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 30, 2024
Runtime
1h 30m
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