Pike River

Biographical Drama | Directed by Robert Sarkies | (M, offensive language)

The Pike River Mine disaster is etched into New Zealand’s collective memory—an unfinished chapter marked by grief, injustice and resilience. This powerful film recounts the tragedy through the eyes of Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm), who lost a husband and a son, respectively. Their story is raw and unflinching, exposing the systemic failures, bureaucratic delays and emotional toll endured by the victims’ families. At its heart, the film is a tribute to the unwavering determination of two women who dared to challenge the mining industry, the government and the judicial system in their pursuit of truth and accountability. (Reviewed by Vivienne Hill)