Hunt for the Wilderpeople

2016, Comedy/Adventure, 1h 41m

208 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

The charmingly offbeat Hunt for the Wilderpeople unites a solid cast, a talented filmmaker, and a poignant, funny, deeply affecting message. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

A boy (Julian Dennison) and his foster father (Sam Neill) become the subjects of a manhunt after they get stranded in the New Zealand wilderness.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Language|Violent Content)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Adventure
  • Original Language:
    English (Australia)
  • Director:
    Taika Waititi
  • Producer:
    Carthew Neal, Leanne Saunders, Taika Waititi, Matt Noonan
  • Writer:
    Taika Waititi
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $5.2M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    The Orchard

Cast & Crew

Sam Neill
Sam Neill
Hec
Julian Dennison
Julian Dennison
Ricky
Rima Te Wiata
Rima Te Wiata
Bella
Rachel House
Rachel House
Paula
Rhys Darby
Rhys Darby
Psycho Sam
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Minister
Cohen Holloway
Cohen Holloway
Hugh
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne
Kahu
Oscar Kightley
Oscar Kightley
Andy
Stan Walker
Stan Walker
Ron
Mike Minogue
Mike Minogue
Joe
Troy Kingi
Troy Kingi
TK
Hamish Parkinson
Hamish Parkinson
Gavin
Stu Giles
Stu Giles
Sick Man
Lloyd Scott
Lloyd Scott
Tourist
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Director
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Screenwriter
Carthew Neal
Carthew Neal
Producer
Leanne Saunders
Leanne Saunders
Producer
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Producer
Matt Noonan
Matt Noonan
Producer
James Wallace
James Wallace
Executive Producer
Charlie McClellan
Charlie McClellan
Executive Producer
Lachlan Milne
Lachlan Milne
Cinematographer
Luke Haigh
Luke Haigh
Film Editing
Tom Eagles
Tom Eagles
Film Editing
Yana Gorskaya
Yana Gorskaya
Film Editing
Lukasz Buda
Lukasz Buda
Original Music
Samuel Scott
Samuel Scott
Original Music
Conrad Wedde
Conrad Wedde
Original Music
Neville Stevenson
Neville Stevenson
Production Design
Jon Lithgow
Jon Lithgow
Art Director
Kristin Seth
Kristin Seth
Costume Design
Stewart Turner
Stewart Turner
Casting
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News & Interviews for Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Las Vegas Film Critics: <em>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</em> Takes 5 Awards
Las Vegas Film Critics: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Takes 5 Awards
British Independent Film Winners Announced: <em>God&#8217;s Own Country</em> Wins Best Film
British Independent Film Winners Announced: God’s Own Country Wins Best Film
British Independent Film Nominations Announced: <em>Lady Macbeth</em> Dominates with 15 Noms
British Independent Film Nominations Announced: Lady Macbeth Dominates with 15 Noms
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Critic Reviews for Hunt for the Wilderpeople

All Critics (208) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (201) | Rotten (7)
Full Review… Elissa Suh StageBuddy.com Full Review… Kambole Campbell One Room With A View Full Review… Angie Han Slashfilm Full Review… Richard Brody New Yorker Full Review… Dennis Harvey Variety Full Review… Tim Grierson Screen International Full Review… Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Toussaint Egan Polygon Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Full Review… Jason Adams The Film Experience Full Review… Olly Richards NME
View All Critic Reviews (208)

Audience Reviews for Hunt for the Wilderpeople

  • Jun 11, 2018
    "Sh*t just got real." This is a wonderful coming of age story as well as a story about how the bond between two males, one old and grief stricken, the other young and shut down, find healing in each other's company. The best kind of independent film. I can't recommend this too highly.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
  • Apr 24, 2017
    http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/hunt-for-thewilderpeople-dir-taika.html
    Anthony L Super Reviewer
  • Mar 22, 2017
    Hip, self-aware, and self-effacing, here is the "orphan kid finds a home" Disney wishes she could make. Heat up the popcorn time!
    Super Reviewer
  • Jan 28, 2017
    Two great performances and a lot of very funny moments, but the story runs out of steam before the end.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
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