The Convert

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2:03

The Convert

2024

1h 59m

Drama

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

100+ 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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Critics Consensus

A crunchy action-adventure with insights into imperialism, The Convert is a bloody return to form for Kiwi director Lee Tamahori.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Jul 21, 2024

3/4

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

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Christian Zilko

IndieWire

Jul 12, 2024

B+

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.

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Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Jul 12, 2024

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.

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Jaylan Salah

Geek Vibes Nation

Jul 9, 2026

8/10

The Convert is not concerned with giving easy answers to complex questions. It doesn’t glorify war or colonization. Read our review!

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Andrew Kendall

Stabroek News

Jul 17, 2025

As it moves towards the end, and towards a closing sequence that has its mind firmly rooted in the present dynamics of colonialism it feels much too satisfied with its shoddy storytelling for the inertness of the drama that has come before.

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Tynan Yanaga

Film Inquiry

Apr 4, 2025

It’s a pity The Convert can’t give us a bit more to grapple with, but it does feel like an entry point into a greater appreciation of the Māori people’s history.

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Frans B

@FransB 6 days ago

Very good movie if you put aside politics and such, as you should. Lee Tamahori did good here with an able-bodied cast. Great cinematics and well assembled story. While the specific plot and main character Thomas Munro (played by Guy Pearce) are fictional, the director Lee Tamahori noted that everything in the film has a place in historical fact. Munro was based on actual Church Missionary Society figures from the era, and the tribal dynamics reflect real historical tensions. The film is set in 1830s New Zealand during the turbulent period of the Musket Wars and early British colonization, which accounts for it's roots in real history. Impressive and captivating

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Kandy A

@RT74818817 Feb 16, 2026

Great story, excellent cast. As a New Zealander I thoroughly enjoyed this movie which illustrates a period in our history. Very realistic.

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Aaron J

@Jandies Feb 14, 2026

The typical Hollywood narrative. Westerner = barbaric and evil Primitive Māori tribe = enlightened far beyond what any westerner could possibly understand or empathise with. Never mind the constant war and cannabalism that maori tribes participated in since they landed in New Zealand a mere 700 years before.

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R T

@davenanjing Feb 9, 2026

Slow to start but with stunning filmography. The action speeds up and is very compelling. I even got to believe a white woman could speak Maori. Worth the watch!

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Nate H

@RT28906356 Sep 11, 2025

Fascinating story of redemption. Great acting.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 4, 2025

Failure in 1 hour and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cast and crew could have been better.

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Lee Tamahori

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Guy Pearce

Thomas Munro

Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne

Rangimai

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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 Premium Production Fund, New Zealand Film Commission, Brouhaha Entertainment, MBK Productions, Jump Film and Television
Genre: Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 12, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.3K
Runtime: 1h 59m

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