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Hunt for the Wilderpeople

  • 20162016
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
127K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,665
155
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Sam Neill and Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Trailer for Hunt For The Wilderpeople
Play trailer2:34
8 Videos
99 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Drama

A national manhunt is ordered for a rebellious kid and his foster uncle who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.A national manhunt is ordered for a rebellious kid and his foster uncle who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.A national manhunt is ordered for a rebellious kid and his foster uncle who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
127K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,665
155
  • Director
    • Taika Waititi
  • Writers
    • Taika Waititi
    • Barry Crump(based on the book "Wild Pork and Watercress" written by)
    • Tearepa Kahi(additional writing)
  • Stars
    • Sam Neill
    • Julian Dennison
    • Rima Te Wiata
Top credits
  • Director
    • Taika Waititi
  • Writers
    • Taika Waititi
    • Barry Crump(based on the book "Wild Pork and Watercress" written by)
    • Tearepa Kahi(additional writing)
  • Stars
    • Sam Neill
    • Julian Dennison
    • Rima Te Wiata
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 349User reviews
    • 229Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 22 wins & 25 nominations

    Videos8

    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Trailer 2:34
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Trailer
    Trailer 2:32
    Trailer
    A Guide to the Work of Taika Waititi
    Clip 7:32
    A Guide to the Work of Taika Waititi
    Taika Waititi - Do Your Own Thing
    Clip 2:31
    Taika Waititi - Do Your Own Thing
    Taika Look at the Waititi Way
    Clip 4:10
    Taika Look at the Waititi Way
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Clip 0:58
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Clip 0:57
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Clip 0:55
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople

    Photos99

    Sam Neill and Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Rhys Darby at an event for Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Sam Neill, Taika Waititi, Matt Noonan, Leanne Saunders, Rhys Darby, Carthew Neal, and Julian Dennison at an event for Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Sam Neill, Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby, and Julian Dennison at an event for Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Sam Neill and Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
    Sam Neill and Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sam Neill
    Sam Neill
    • Hecas Hec
    Julian Dennison
    Julian Dennison
    • Ricky Bakeras Ricky Baker
    Rima Te Wiata
    Rima Te Wiata
    • Bella Faulkneras Bella Faulkner
    Rachel House
    Rachel House
    • Paula Hallas Paula Hall
    Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne
    Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne
    • Kahuas Kahu
    Oscar Kightley
    Oscar Kightley
    • PC Andy Tappertas PC Andy Tappert
    Stan Walker
    Stan Walker
    • Ronas Ron
    Mike Minogue
    Mike Minogue
    • Joeas Joe
    Cohen Holloway
    Cohen Holloway
    • Hughas Hugh
    Rhys Darby
    Rhys Darby
    • Psycho Samas Psycho Sam
    Troy Kingi
    Troy Kingi
    • TKas TK
    Taika Waititi
    Taika Waititi
    • Ministeras Minister
    Hamish Parkinson
    • Gavinas Gavin
    Stu Giles
    • Sick Manas Sick Man
    Lloyd Scott
    Lloyd Scott
    • Touristas Tourist
    Selina Woulfe
    • Organ Playeras Organ Player
    Mabelle Dennison
    • Church Ladyas Church Lady
    Sonia Spyve
    • Court Lawyeras Court Lawyer
    • Director
      • Taika Waititi
    • Writers
      • Taika Waititi
      • Barry Crump(based on the book "Wild Pork and Watercress" written by)
      • Tearepa Kahi(additional writing)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Reclusive country folk Bella and Hector become foster parents to Ricky, a problem child from the city. After some adjustment, things go reasonably well. However, Bella's death means that Hector must now look after Ricky himself, and they haven't been getting along. Moreover, her death causes Child Services to decide to send Ricky back to the orphanage. Ricky refuses to go back and runs away, ultimately sparking a national manhunt for him and Hector. —grantss
    • coming of age
    • foster father foster son relationship
    • manhunt
    • new zealand
    • faked death
    • 372 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Nature just got gangster
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including violent content, and for some language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was the first local feature to gross more than NZ$1 million in its opening weekend at the New Zealand box office.
    • Goofs
      No kiwi Hunter worth his salt would kill a pukeko for eating - they are notoriously bad eating birds, hence the cooking joke: boil a pukeko with a shoe and when the shoe is soft, throw away the bird and eat the shoe.
    • Quotes

      Hec: Me and this fat kid / We ran we ate and read books / And it was the best.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits include sections headed "Wildercrew" and "Wildercast", with the latter including the subheading "Wilderdogs".
    • Connections
      Featured in The Graham Norton Show: Danny DeVito/Ewan McGregor/Sam Neill/Miranda Hart/John Bishop/Amber Riley (2016)
    • Soundtracks
      Makutekahu
      Written by Lukasz Pawel Buda (as L. Buda), Samuel Scott (as S. Scott) and Conrad Wedde (as C. Wedde)

      Native Tongue Music Publishing

      Arranged by Hamish McKeich

      Performed by Pepe Becker, Anna Sedcole, Phillip Collins, Robert Oliver

    User reviews349

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Hugely enjoyable comedy adventure with serious undertones
    Kiwi director Taika Waititi of "Boy" and "What We Do In the Shadows" fame will shortly be stepping into the big leagues directing the next "Thor" movie.

    In the meantime he has conjured up another slice of real Kiwi life on a budget that would probably fail to cover the catering bill for his new movie. Waititi translates Kiwi writer Barry Crump's book into a screenplay full of Kiwiana, irony and humour.

    We meet Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) as the local police (Oscar Kightley) and "enthusiastic" Child Care worker "Paula" (Rachel House), attempt to rehouse the young Maori lad with his new adoptive foster parents. "Aunt Bella" (Rima Te Wiata), child loving and with a heart of gold together with husband "Hec" (Sam Neill), a loner bushman with little desire to house a young delinquent.

    Ricky's long list of offences are mentioned, including "smashing stuff and throwing rocks" but Paula is very determined, oft repeating her personal motto, "no child left behind".

    The opening scene sets the tone perfectly, as Ricky carefully surveys his new accommodation and quietly returns to the police car.

    Despite finding his new basic rural surroundings somewhat bewildering, including a gloriously bloody wild pig hunt, Ricky starts to become part of the family as he is showered by Aunt Bella's practical love and understanding.

    Following an event, Ricky and Hec strike out on their own into the New Zealand bush as a national man hunt for the pair commences. Can they get on, will Hec's heart eventually melt, if indeed he can find it? This is a comedy drama with emphasis on the humour with incompetent hunters, crazy bushmen (Rhys Darby) and comical situations. However framed with underlying sadness and a serious story under pinning the whole endeavour. The tone is reminiscent of director Waititi's' "Boy" and manages to stay consistent throughout. Waititi even allowing himself a brief cameo, to great comedic effect.

    There are plenty of belly laughs for those that understand and know New Zealand well. Neill essaying your everyday "she'll be right" Kiwi bloke, whilst providing a much needed straight man to all the shenanigans.

    Some scenes are pushed too far, with Paula's quest going to ridiculous length's for the sake of comedy and Darby overbalancing his scenes with his usual shtick. Somehow with the solid anchor of Dennison's fresh performance and Neill's experience, the ship manages to stay the right way up.

    The New Zealand bush is shown in all it's glory with the addition of a great choral track to accompany the shots of the overhead tree canopy.

    Overall a much more approachable and enjoyable film than "Shadows" which will play especially well with Kiwi's and Australians but does have broader appeal.

    Summary

    Hugely enjoyable comedy adventure with serious undertones and represents a real return to form for Waititi. It's also good to see Sam Neill on the big screen again, opposite a great new young talent.
    helpful•24
    5
    • julian-mumford
    • Apr 17, 2016

    FAQ1

    • What is the song when they decide to 'run'?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 1, 2016 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Official sites
      • Madman Films (Australia)
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Yovvoyi odamlar izidan
    • Filming locations
      • Horopito, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Piki Films
      • Defender Films
      • Curious Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,205,468
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $78,439
      • Jun 26, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,915,910
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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    May 17The Wrap

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