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The Convert

Play trailer 2:03 Poster for The Convert 2024 1h 59m Drama Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Convert

The Convert

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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! Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Frans B @FransB Sep 10, 2026 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 See more
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. See more
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. See more
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! See more
Nate H @RT28906356 Sep 11, 2025 Fascinating story of redemption. Great acting. See more
Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 4, 2025 Failure in 1 hour and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cast and crew could have been better. See more
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The Convert

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Convert

The Convert (2023) The Convert (2023) View more photos

Movie Info

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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