The Convert (2023) is a historical drama directed by Lee Tamahori, set in the early 19th century during a time of intense cultural and territorial clashes between British settlers and indigenous Māori tribes in New Zealand. The film follows Thomas Munro (played by Guy Pearce), a British lay preacher who arrives in a frontier town.

There, Munro must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with suspicion, war, and his own violent past. The story captures the tension between Māori and Pākehā (European settlers), with Munro finding himself drawn into a bloody conflict between Māori tribes.

The film emphasizes the exchanges between cultures, portraying how both sides learn from each other amid a backdrop of colonial violence. Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne stars as Rangimai, a wounded Māori woman seeking vengeance, while Lawrence Makoare plays Akatārewa, a powerful chief.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023, garnering praise for its impressive cinematography and intense performances. However, some critics felt that while it had powerful moments, it struggled to fully develop its deeper themes

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