A chilling new trailer has arrived for Mārama, a Māori gothic horror film that blends supernatural terror with a powerful story about colonialism, identity and revenge.
Described as a frightening mix of the atmospheric folk horror found in The Witch and the unsettling psychological intensity of Midsommar, Mārama takes audiences into a dark chapter of history while placing a Māori woman at the centre of its story.
Set in 1859, the film follows Mary, a young Māori orphan who leaves New Zealand after receiving a summons that takes her on a one-way journey to North Yorkshire. What initially appears to be an opportunity quickly becomes something far more sinister when she arrives at her destination and discovers that the man who summoned her, Thomas Boyd, is dead.
With few options available to her, Mary accepts a position as governess to eight-year-old Anne, the granddaughter of the wealthy Sir Nathaniel Cole. However, her new surroundings soon begin to reveal disturbing secrets.
As Mary spends more time with the family, she learns that Cole has a horrifying connection to New Zealand and its colonial past. Strange visions and increasingly disturbing dreams begin to haunt her, forcing Mary to confront a history that has been deliberately buried.
Her journey ultimately leads her to discover the terrible truth surrounding her heritage. Along the way, Mary develops Matakite, a seer ability that gives her a connection to forces beyond the ordinary.
Rather than simply using its supernatural elements for scares, Mārama uses horror to explore the lasting consequences of colonial violence and the trauma passed down through generations. The result looks to be a dark and atmospheric revenge story in which its protagonist is forced to confront the people and systems responsible for devastating her family.
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Taratoa Stappard, who previously worked on short films. Ariana Osborne leads the cast as Mary, with Evelyn Towersey, Toby Stephens, Umi Myers and Erroll Shand also starring.
Stappard directs from a story rooted in the colonial history of Aotearoa New Zealand, giving Mārama a distinctive perspective within the gothic horror genre. The film has already been described as a reclamation story, with its supernatural elements intertwined with questions of history, identity and power.
Mārama first opened in New Zealand cinemas on February 12, 2026, before receiving a limited US theatrical release on April 17. The film subsequently screened in France and Portugal before arriving on digital platforms on June 9.
Horror audiences will soon have another opportunity to experience the film, with Mārama scheduled to arrive on Shudder on September 11. A UK theatrical release is also planned for October 30.
With its combination of gothic imagery, supernatural horror and a deeply personal story of colonial revenge, Mārama looks set to offer something considerably more haunting than a conventional period horror movie.
