By Dennis Hartley

One of my personal Rules of Cinema is that “nothing good ever happens at an isolated manor”. Rebecca meets The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith in first-time director Taratoa Stappard’s gothic horror/culture clash drama (set in 1859).

A travel-weary young Māori woman (Ariana Osborne) arrives at (wait for it) an isolated English manor. She’s made the trek from New Zealand in response to a letter from the wealthy head of the estate, who claims to have some deep background to share regarding her (apparently) mysterious past. The (initially) gracious gentleman offers her a position tutoring his daughter; tossing in room and board. However, Mārama remains palpably wary-especially once the red flags begin to unfurl (no spoilers!). 

The sociopolitical allegory is righteous and duly noted, but I should advise that the Grand Guignol climax may be a bit much for squeamish viewers. Still, it’s an impressive directorial debut, and I found the intense, unpredictable performance by Osborne compelling.