Mārama – Review

Ahhhh, the Victorian North Yorkshire in 1859, the good old days. Colonial psychological torture and horror: clearly a feel-good film for all ages. While it may be moody, dark, brooding and low budget, Mārama has enough going for it for fans of slower moving creepy terror romps.

As “Mary Stevens”, or Mārama (Osborne), a Māori woman takes a long journey to England from New Zealand. Why is she here? She has received a letter from a Thomas Boyd about her family’s history. He promises to tell her everything when she arrives.

Unfortunately, she finds Thomas has passed. She is led by a strange woman named Peggy (Myers) to a large state named Hawkesham Manor, owned by Sir Nathaniel Cole (Stephens) who seems to know her. Ohhhkayy…

So, what mysteries are in store for Mary? What will she learn about her family and this rich Nathaniel and his giant manor? She has weird dreams while she sleeps, and it’s all a bit creepy at night. Phew, seems like a good setting for things to get a bit uncomfortable. Come check out the film if you want a light mystery and some decent psychological horror.

Costumes and the ocean-side settings enhance the story and help with the general mood, however are not overpronounced. One can almost feel and smell the sea air. How delightful. Osborne is a strong lead, but Stephens is great as usual in a role that needed a visceral presence. It is all darkly lit as it should be for the time period. Mostly this one really does give off appropriate vibes.

It progresses a touch slow, but it does what it sets out to do fairly well and moves with grace. By the credits it’s hard to feel bad for the end results. Colonialism and Māori horror go just fine together.