The Convert

Released Jul 12

1h 59m

Drama

Action

TRAILER

for The Convert: Trailer 1

List

81%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

54%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

New Zealand in the 1830s is a largely Māori world, dominated by tribal wars. Seeking redemption from a dark past, lay preacher Thomas Munro (GUY PEARCE) is on board a trading vessel heading to the newly established town of Epworth, a British settlement at the far corner of the world. When the ship anchors on the rugged coast of New Zealand, Munro finds himself caught up in a battle between Māori tribes and witnesses a slaughter of innocents at the hands of chief Akatarawa. Munro manages to save the life of Rangimai -- the daughter of Maianui, a rival chief whose land Epworth leases in a delicate arrangement. As Munro begins to experience the white townsfolk's entrenched racism and paranoia towards the Māori, he finds himself increasingly ostracized within the community he is meant to serve and realizes he has been brought to this isolated British outpost merely to add the veneer of civilization. When one of Maianui's men is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Munro and Rangimai take a dangerous journey into the prohibited lands ruled by Māori warlords, in the hope of repairing the injustice. However, Munro soon realizes he is a pawn in a strategic play of power, and with bloody war between the two dominant tribes now inevitable, he must decide what role he will play and whether his faith is real, or of any value.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

The movie takes on a bittersweet note, bringing history to life in all its messy complexity - and the everyday players who shape it.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 21, 2024

Full Review

Christian Zilko

indieWire

The Convert manages to combine an entertaining portrayal of an often ignored historical era with universal questions about whether it’s ever possible to build a human society on the foundation of something other than violence.

Rated: B+

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

Frank Scheck

Hollywood Reporter

The Convert is uneven and doesn’t fully live up to its thematic ambitions. But it’s handsomely made and thankfully avoids falling victim to white savior syndrome.

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

Nadine Whitney

InSession Film

Tamahori’s commitment to showing authentic Māori culture on the screen is where The Convent finds its footing.

Rated: B-

Jul 19, 2024

Full Review

Scott Howard

Under the Radar

When all is said and done, The Convert is a valiant low-budget effort to tell the story of the indigenous tribes of New Zealand.

Rated: 6.5/10

Jul 19, 2024

Full Review

Aaron Neuwirth

We Live Entertainment

As good as it looked (this movie was shot in various gorgeous parts of New Zealand), I felt ahead of the narrative in spots, waiting for it to catch up.

Rated: 6/10

Jul 18, 2024

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Travis M

A true awe inspiring movie. The cultural details and admiration really hones in to the raw emotion of this masterpiece. I'd only wished there would be a sequel extrapolating the continued adversities felt thereon. Kudos to all the actors and actresses and everyone who was a part of this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Pearce knocked it out of the park in this 1830s colonization story. We get to see value, heartbreak, pride and war from all angles. Thoroughly surprised.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

Alec B

A combination of good old fashioned action filmmaking with a serious attempt to see all of these characters as real people without resorting to stereotypes or pandering.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

Full Review

nilufer e

It was alright but definitely not my cup of tea. Guy Pierce is obviously amazing but the movie wasn't to my liking. And it was too long.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/15/24

Full Review

Lisa R

Saw The Convert last night. 4 out of 5 stars: The Convert is a compelling story set in 1830's New Zealand of a British preacher who gets caught up in Maori Wars from Once Were Warriors and Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori. With a screenplay by Lee Tamahori and Michael Bennett (In Dark Places), the film features impeccable acting from a talented cast that includes Australian actors Guy Pearce (Memento, LA Confidential) and Jacqueline McKenzie (Force of Nature: The Dry 2) and newcomer Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne. Breathtaking scenery of New Zealand shot by cinematographer Gin Loane (The Justice of Bunny King).

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

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Lee Tamahori

Director

Guy Pearce

Thomas Munro

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne

Rangimai

Antonio Te Maioha

Actor

Jacqueline McKenzie

Actor

Lawrence Makoare

Actor

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The Convert: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

New Zealand in the 1830s is a largely Māori world, dominated by tribal wars. Seeking redemption from a dark past, lay preacher Thomas Munro (GUY PEARCE) is on board a trading vessel heading to the newly established town of Epworth, a British settlement at the far corner of the world. When the ship anchors on the rugged coast of New Zealand, Munro finds himself caught up in a battle between Māori tribes and witnesses a slaughter of innocents at the hands of chief Akatarawa. Munro manages to save the life of Rangimai -- the daughter of Maianui, a rival chief whose land Epworth leases in a delicate arrangement. As Munro begins to experience the white townsfolk's entrenched racism and paranoia towards the Māori, he finds himself increasingly ostracized within the community he is meant to serve and realizes he has been brought to this isolated British outpost merely to add the veneer of civilization. When one of Maianui's men is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Munro and Rangimai take a dangerous journey into the prohibited lands ruled by Māori warlords, in the hope of repairing the injustice. However, Munro soon realizes he is a pawn in a strategic play of power, and with bloody war between the two dominant tribes now inevitable, he must decide what role he will play and whether his faith is real, or of any value.

Director: Lee Tamahori
Producer: Troy Lum, Robin Scholes, Andrew Mason, Te Kohe Tuhaka
Screenwriter: Shane Danielsen, Lee Tamahori
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: New Zealand Film Commission, Brouhaha Entertainment, MBK Productions, Jump Film and Television, New Zealand Premium Production Fund
Genre: Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 12, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.8K
Runtime: 1h 59m

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