Maori gothic horror Marama, is set for release in cinemas, following a screening later this week at Grimmfest 2026.
1859. A young Māori woman, Mary Stevens (Ariāna Osborne), arrives in Whitby after a 73 day journey from New Zealand only to discover that the man she was to meet is dead.
Trapped without prospects in an unfamiliar, hostile environment Mary is obliged to accept work as a governess for Sir Nathaniel Cole (Toby Stephens), a local landowner with a vast fortune made as a South Seas whaler. But when Mary moves into Cole’s grand country house, she gradually discovers he is an obsessive, fetishistic collector of Māori cultural artefacts and she begins to uncover the full, horrific truth of her colonial heritage.
Written and directed by Taratoa Stappard; and starring Ariāna Osborne, Toby Stephens (Die Another Day, Black Sails), Erroll Shand (Evil Dead Burn), Umi Myers (Bob Marley: One Love) and introducing Evelyn Towersey.
Mārama premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has played film festivals around the world including Sitges and Fantastic Fest.
Watch the trailer below –
