We Were Dangerous

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We Were Dangerous

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1h 23m

Drama

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96%

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26 Reviews

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Set in 1954 New Zealand, We Were Dangerous follows Nellie and Daisy, two delinquent girls attempting to escape their institution. After being caught, they are transferred to a remote island facility. There, they form a trio with Lou, a well-to-do newcomer, and together they challenge the authority of the strict Matron. As they rebel against a system, they find strength in their friendship, questioning faith and authority in a world that seeks to control them.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

These extraordinary young actresses, every single one of them... It's a beautiful film.

Apr 9, 2025

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

It’s a hopeful — sometimes borderline exuberant — rallying cry for girls to stick together across the various divides that people use to disempower them.

Rated: B-

Mar 9, 2024

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Christopher Llewellyn Reed

Hammer to Nail

"We Were Dangerous" discusses ideas just as important today as they were in the period represented.

Apr 17, 2025

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Lapacazo Magrira Sandoval

New York Amsterdam News

This is a fierce and finely calibrated debut.

Apr 17, 2025

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Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

“Life’s easier if you don’t resist,” says the Matron, but the friendship at the heart of We Were Dangerous rejects that. Life is easier if you do resist when you have people who share the same beliefs.

Apr 12, 2025

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Luke Y. Thompson

ill LYTeracy (Substack)

Seldom has a seeming feel-bad movie turned so feel-good as We Were Dangerous, and brilliantly so, by subverting the stereotypes that an anti-stereotype viewer may not even know they had.

Apr 11, 2025

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Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu

Director

Erana James

Nellie

Nathalie Morris

Lou

Rima Te Wiata

The Matron

Manaia Hall

Daisy

Maddie Dai

Screenwriter

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Synopsis

Set in 1954 New Zealand, We Were Dangerous follows Nellie and Daisy, two delinquent girls attempting to escape their institution. After being caught, they are transferred to a remote island facility. There, they form a trio with Lou, a well-to-do newcomer, and together they challenge the authority of the strict Matron. As they rebel against a system, they find strength in their friendship, questioning faith and authority in a world that seeks to control them.

Director: Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu
Producer: Morgan Waru, Polly Fryer
Screenwriter: Maddie Dai
Distributor: The Forge
Production Co: Piki Films, Fit Via Vi Film Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 23m