MÃRAMA Movie Review in Theaters April 17th on Digital on May 12th-Dark Sky Films & Watermelon Pictures

Certain films get under your skin from the moment they start; a lot has to do with atmosphere, sometimes it's the score, and then in certain instances, it's both. Marama certainly got under my skin from the very start, had me riveted to my seat, honestly not knowing what was going to happen next. 

Mary(Ariāna Osborne), or Marama, as we found out, has been requested to join a man at a very remote location that has taken her 75 days to reach. On top of that, she then has to walk for miles from the road, where she is dropped off like a dog being left to fend for itself.

She is graciously welcomed to the home of Nathaniel Cole(Toby Stephens-above) and is asked to stay and care for a young girl. She hesitantly agrees to it, we can feel her uncertainty, and the shock she feels when she shakes someone's hand, she has a quick vision. Mary is a seer and sees things that others don't, such as people in the mirror or by shaking someone's hand. It's a quick, unsettling tone that is very prominent throughout the film. The score is nerve-racking, and the set design creates such a creepy atmosphere.

When she is given a tour of the grounds by the young child, who is 9 years old, Mary is introduced to a special part of the yard where it is shot so perfectly that we can see her literally turn white as a ghost in front of our eyes.

Nathanial has a birthday party and invites Mary to attend, not sure if it was to intimidate her, or mock her people, but she certainly took it as such. It has the man above who is pretending to kill, then chop up a whale. It starts to anger Mary.

As the performance continues to a rousing, cheering crowd, Mary is growing angrier, and we can feel her blood boiling. The quick cuts between her, the performer, the crowd, and back to her really make the scene work incredibly well.

When she's had enough, Mary shatters a glass on the floor, and the room is silent. She starts to chant in the Maori tongue. The guteral intensity was something that I haven't seen for years. 

Ariāna Osborne's performance is one of those that win awards, with the Academy finally acknowledging horror at this year's awards; maybe Ariana will get some credit for her work here. I know the horror community will be behind her.

As more doors and drawers are open, Mary finds the sad and gruesome truth about her past, her family, and the man who has her housed in his home.

As much anger, sadness, and the sad grim reality of the history of the Māori of New Zealand, the film is beautifully shot with some incredible shots and locations. Nothing feels like it was shot on a set or soundstage, which gives the film its richness. This is quite an incredible film, and I am glad I have had the chance to see it. It's easily one of my favorites of the year, so far.

                     

The costume design is also something that has helped with the mood of the film, and the cover over her dress here looks incredible.