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Once Were Warriors

1994 · 99 min

A raw, unflinching look at domestic violence and its aftermath, anchored by powerful performances and a deep sense of cultural loss.

Tagline
Their people once were warriors. But once... was a long time ago.
Overview
In a violent relationship, it takes a mother’s strength to save herself and her children from the man she loved. Once Were Warriors is a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop.
Stream in the UK
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Channel 101 Amazon Channel
More options Data from JustWatch
In your watch list

How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone
  • bleakstrength 3 of 3
  • tensestrength 3 of 3
  • melancholicstrength 2 of 3
  • earneststrength 2 of 3
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes
  • family
  • violence
  • trauma
  • identity
  • grief
Places
  • suburbs
  • big city
  • home
Era
contemporary
Audience
adult
Form
  • ensemble
Content intensity
  • Gore mild
  • Language strong
  • Violence strong
  • Sex strong
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action4
Horror3
Humour2
Realism9
Romance3
Tension8
Darkness9
Complexity6
Emotional weight10

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Where to watch in the UK

Stream
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Channel 101 Amazon Channel
Rent or buy
  • Apple TV Store
  • Amazon Video

Streaming data from JustWatch.All options on TMDB

Details

Genres
drama
Directed by
Lee Tamahori
Written by
Riwia Brown
Starring
Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, Taungaroa Emile, Rachael Morris Jr., Joseph Kairau, Cliff Curtis
Music
Murray Grindlay, Murray McNabb
Cinematography
Stuart Dryburgh
Runtime
99 min
Country
New Zealand
Languages
English, Maori

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