Once Were Warriors

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Once Were Warriors

R

Released Feb 24, 1994

1h 42m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

93%

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46 Reviews

95%

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25,000+ Ratings

An unemployed Maori living in the Auckland slums, Jake Heke (Temuera Morrison) has a terrible temper that he takes out on family and strangers alike. His wife, Beth (Rena Owen), takes regular beatings after he's been at the pub, and his kids do what they can to sidestep trouble. Nig (Julian Arahanga), the eldest, is joining a street gang; Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) has been placed in a foster home; and Grace increasingly retreats to the pages of her journal.

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Critics Consensus

Once Were Warriors isn't an easy watch, but the raw power of its story -- and the performances of an excellent cast -- reward viewers who rise to the challenge.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

Once Were Warriors has more to say than the traditional TV-movie about spousal abuse. But some viewers will have to pay a price: This is a movie that requires strength and fortitude to sit through.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 21, 2017

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, who plays Grace, had never acted before, and neither have a couple of the other key players. But under the careful direction of television veteran Lee Tamahori, they all do credible and forceful work.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 21, 2017

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

A gritty, powerful first feature by Lee Tamahori.

Feb 21, 2017

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Lee Tamahori's feature film debut offers a cross-section of abuses, making it a searing portrait of self-destructive behaviors, toxic codependency, and gut-wrenching tragedy.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 26, 2022

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

One of the finest films ever made on New Zealand soil has lost none of its raw emotional power and unbearable psychological intensity.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 23, 2020

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Roger Hurlburt

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Once Were Warriors is a savage and dismaying tale of a venerable culture in decay and a film difficult to recommend.

Feb 21, 2017

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Janis E

Tamahori's direction is consistently sharp and the film showcases two immensely powerful performances by Morrison and Owen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Shawna R

One of the most powerful, ultra-realistic dramas about domestic violence--As the battered wife, Rena Welson should have received a Best Actress nomination.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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Richard P

One of the finest films ever made on New Zealand soil has lost none of its raw emotional power and unbearable psychological intensity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

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Kafe R

Great performances. Depressing as hell though. Worth watching

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

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Dani G

I know it's a classic, I know it's indie cinema, but this movie really looks cheap. And a lot of bad acting. A harsh theme, though, but I had much higher expectations

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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Nicholas B

It's brutal and carries more than an air of authenticity about it. This one's all about the emotional aspects, which are brilliantly realised through both the performances and the tragedy of what unfolds. The shortcomings arise from the screenplay, which is head above water for a motion picture, for the most part. Unfortunately, most of what unfolds conforms to the tele-movie screenplay template, which can't match the emotional strength of its cinematic content. Definitely not a waste of time though. It redeems itself well enough to be worth anyone's time.Either way,it won't leave you soon after the credits roll.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

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Lee Tamahori

Director

Rena Owen

Beth Heke

Temuera Morrison

Jake Heke

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

Grace Heke

Julian Arahanga

Nig Heke

Taungaroa Emile

Boogie Heke

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39%

73%

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Synopsis

An unemployed Maori living in the Auckland slums, Jake Heke (Temuera Morrison) has a terrible temper that he takes out on family and strangers alike. His wife, Beth (Rena Owen), takes regular beatings after he's been at the pub, and his kids do what they can to sidestep trouble. Nig (Julian Arahanga), the eldest, is joining a street gang; Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) has been placed in a foster home; and Grace increasingly retreats to the pages of her journal.

Director: Lee Tamahori
Producer: Robin Scholes
Screenwriter: Riwia Brown, Alan Duff
Distributor: Fine Line Features, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Fine Line Features, Finestkind
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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