The Mountain

Name: The Mountain
Director: Rachel House
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Released: 2024
Duration: 1 h 29 min
Cast: Elizabeth Atkinson, Terrence Daniel, Reuben Francis, Troy Kingi, Byron Coll

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Adventure
Comedy

2024
Rachel House
89 mins
PG

Summary

Sam, a fearless young girl raised outside of her Maori culture, is determined to connect with a mountain in the hope it can cure her cancer. Along the way she meets new friends Mallory and Bronco. Co-writer/director Rachel House's comedy, starring Elizabeth Atkinson, Reuben Francis, Terence Daniel and Byron Coll

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Jayne Nelson

This wholesome comedy from New Zealand follows three runaway children on a quest. Seriously ill Sam (Elizabeth Atkinson) sneaks out of hospital to climb what she sees as "her" spiritual mountain, Taranaki, in the hope of a cure. She's joined by Maori environmentalist Bronco (Terence Daniel) and Mallory (Reuben Francis), who's grieving his mother. The unlikely trio faces a series of gentle adventures in the spirit of The Goonies. Given its Antipodean setting, there are strong elements of Hunt for the Wilderpeople here (indeed, that film's director, Taika Waititi, is an executive producer) but this is aimed squarely at kids. Watching these 11-year-olds bickering and bonding while discussing life, death and Maori folklore is uplifting. Yet, there's a bittersweet edge, as Sam learns to face her own mortality. The scenery is sensational, with Mount Taranaki and its surrounding peaks listed as an actual person, Te Kahui Tupua Taranaki Maunga, in the credits - they were granted personhood by the New Zealand government and Maori people at the start of 2025.

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6.3/10