The Mountain

In her vibrant debut feature film as director and co-writer, Rachel House — known for her many celebrated acting roles including Hunt for the Wilderpeople — shares a touching tale of three unlikely young friends on the adventure of a lifetime. Determined to beat the cancer she is fighting, Sam (Elizabeth Atkinson) escapes from the juvenile hospital ward to go on a potentially dangerous journey to climb Taranaki Maunga, the mountain that, as a Māori, she is culturally and personally connected with.

Meanwhile, precocious Bronco (Terence Daniel), a proudly confident Māori boy feeling neglected by his single father, meets Mallory (Reuben Francis), who struggles with loneliness following the recent death of his mother. The two boys soon cross paths with Sam and need little convincing to join her on the secret mission to reach Taranaki. They form a quick bond as their worried parents begin searching for the trio, concerned for their safety and health.

As they near their destination, Sam, Bronco, and Mallory face continuous obstacles as it becomes clear that Sam’s physical condition isn’t as great as she’s letting on. When they finally reach the mountain, truths are exposed, and the young friends learn unforgettable lessons.

Filled with charm, humour, and deep emotion, The Mountain is a highly entertaining family film that doesn’t shy away from life’s sometimes difficult realities. House trusts her young protagonists to convey the ways children can rise above any challenges they face, and to demonstrate the lasting power of acceptance, cultural legacy, and friendship.

JASON RYLE