Home Kills

Home Kills is a darkly funny, quietly gripping rural thriller that captures so much of what makes New Zealand storytelling great. The characters feel lived-in and real, the dialogue crackles with understated humour, and the film leans into its Kiwi identity without ever feeling forced. I loved its dry wit, atmospheric setting, and the authenticity of small-town life-equal parts ordinary and unsettling.

I saw this film in our local independent cinema. It's a real shame this didn't reach a wider audience. Films like this deserve to be seen well beyond our borders. Clever, grounded, and surprisingly tense-Home Kills is a gem.

A surprising and humourous downwards spiral of events that determines the fate of two brothers, set in picturesque New Zealand. If you rate films that are unpredicatble and have credible (!) twists, then give that one a go for sure. Apparently this is a low budget production, but it reminded me of Tarantino/ Coen brothers both in terms of story line (humour, absurdities, tension, goriness, the director showing up in the cast) and realisation. The actor playing main character is doing an amazing job, able to show a number of different sides to him in a very credible way. There were some fabulous camera skill moments, too.

Went to see this film in Randwick, Sydney. Great evening. Thoroughly enjoyed the film altho as an older person the language wasn't to my taste. It was really hilarious in parts and the NZ scenery was spectacular. I grew up in that countryside so was familiar with the area. The cameraman did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the diversity of the actors and got a surprise when Stefan Denis appeared. Its great to see New Zealand movies like this in the cinema, but be warned there are some gross bits though not in the way you might imagine. The sets were sensational as the film takes you on a tour through the dilapidated country farms of New Zealand. Kiwis will love this, but Australians in the cinema seemed to enjoy it too.

Went and saw the screening at the Putaruru plaza this evening.

A great story told through dark comedy and heavy themes. The casting, scenery, camerashots and everything in between was so well done I couldn't look away. The story was captivating and seeing the character development really showed all perspectives of the characters and how well written it was. Listening to Haydn and Lanny talk about the project after the screening, you can see the passion and heart that was put into this from all members of crew. If you get the opportunity to see this film take it and take it again. A true New Zealand cinematic masterpiece. This is a must watch.

Great flick, loved the pacing. Had me both leaning in on the edge of my seat and having to look away. The beautiful NZ landscape as a canvas for an increasingly morbid story with each new twist ramping up the tension. Lots of layers with the son and the dad, husband and wife, two brothers, an aspiring and lovable yet inept cop, and you aren't quite sure who to root for. One of the best high quality on budget NZ cinema I have seen.

For such an absurd premise, the movie makes it believable and doesn't trivialise it through slapstick. Humour comes in the natural NZ perspective rather than forced and unrealistic pratfalls. You are thinking "I can't believe he is doing that", not "there is no way he would do that". You are with the characters every step of the way, as much as you want to run away.

Well done. More please.