Pike River: A Landmark New Zealand Film Brings an Untold Story to the Big Screen

One of the most powerful and emotionally charged New Zealand films in recent memory is about to arrive, as Pike River makes its long-awaited debut on home soil. This landmark drama will roll out across Aotearoa with a series of premieres, special preview screenings, and nationwide release on October 30, bringing to life a story that is both deeply personal and profoundly national.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rob Sarkies (Out of the Blue, Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story, Scarfies), Pike River confronts the tragic events of the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster, which claimed the lives of 29 men underground. But more than just recounting the tragedy, the film shines a light on the extraordinary resilience of two women, Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who refused to give up in their pursuit of justice and accountability.

Portrayed on screen by Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets, The Last of Us, Heavenly Creatures) and Robyn Malcolm (After the Party, Outrageous Fortune), Osborne and Rockhouse’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as they form a powerful bond in the fight to have their voices heard.

The film also features Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess, My Life is Murder) and Tim Gordon, rounding out a cast that delivers raw and authentic performances anchored in the lived experiences of the Pike families.

The first audiences in New Zealand to experience Pike River will be those most directly connected to the tragedy. On Monday, 13th October, the film will receive its New Zealand red carpet premiere at Greymouth’s Regent Theatre: a homecoming event for the West Coast community that bore the heaviest loss.

An invitation-only premiere will follow in Auckland at the ASB Waterfront Theatre on Tuesday, 14th October, before a series of special public preview screenings with Q&A sessions take the film to audiences nationwide. Director Rob Sarkies, members of the cast, and special guests Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse will appear in conversation following screenings in:

• Auckland – Wednesday 15th October (ASB Waterfront Theatre)
• Christchurch – Thursday 16th October (Isaac Theatre Royal)
• Wellington – Saturday 18th October (Embassy Theatre)

Tickets for these events are now on sale, and demand is expected to be immense.

Pike River made its world premiere at the Sydney International Film Festival in June, where it received standing ovations from audiences, including Pike River families who travelled across the Tasman to witness their story honoured on the big screen. A private screening has also been organised for Pike River Families groups in Greymouth before the public release, ensuring that those most deeply affected are given the space to see the film first.
A Director’s Vision

For Sarkies, who has long been recognised for bringing challenging New Zealand stories to cinema with both honesty and empathy, Pike River is perhaps his most significant project yet:

“It’s an honour to bring the story home to the families and community who survived it,” Sarkies says. “At the heart of the film are Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne, two Kiwi-as women whose unique bond demonstrates the power of friendship in the face of adversity. I can’t wait to share their extraordinary story with audiences across New Zealand.”

Pike River is more than just a film — it’s a reckoning, a memorial, and a testament to the resilience of those who fight for justice when the odds are stacked against them. With its powerhouse performances, emotional weight, and unflinching authenticity, this is cinema that will stir audiences and stay with them long after the credits roll.

Pike River opens nationwide in New Zealand on October 30.

Image: MadMan Films