The Convert (2023)

“The Convert,” directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Guy Pearce and Te Kohe Tuhaka, is a powerful 2023 film set in 1830s New Zealand. The screenplay, co-written by Shane Danielsen and Tamahori, is based on a story by Michael Bennett and produced by Jump Film & Television and Brouhaha Entertainment.

The film follows Thomas Munro, a lay preacher stationed at the British settlement of Epworth, who finds himself caught in the midst of a violent conflict between Māori tribes. As Munro navigates the turbulent landscape of colonial New Zealand, he becomes deeply entangled in the struggles and tensions of the time. “The Convert” explores themes of faith, cultural conflict, and the impact of colonialism, offering a gripping portrayal of historical events through a personal and dramatic lens.