Pike River (film)
| Pike River | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Sarkies |
| Written by | Fiona Samuel |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Gin Loane |
| Edited by | Peter Roberts |
| Music by | Karl Sölve Steven |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | |
Release date |
|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Language | English |
Pike River is a 2025 New Zealand drama film. Directed by Robert Sarkies, it stars Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm.
Premise
Based on the Pike River Mine disaster of 2010, the story follows the subsequent, years-long battle for justice led by Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, two friends whose respective husband and son—along with 27 other workers—were killed during an underground explosion.
Cast
- Melanie Lynskey as Anna Osborne
- Robyn Malcolm as Sonya Rockhouse
- Lucy Lawless as Helen Kelly
- Erroll Shand as Pete Cahill
- Madeleine McCarthy as Alisha Osborne
- Ben Porter as Rob Osborne
- John Leigh as Milton Osborne
- Peter Tait as Rowdy Durbridge
- Jordan Mooney as Tony Sutorius
- Tim Gordon as Bernie Monk
- Elizabeth Hawthorne as Kath Monk
- Hamish McEwen as Daniel Rockhouse
- Richard Crouchley as Ben Rockhouse
- Jeff Kingsford-Brown as Neville Rockhouse
- Ian Mune as "Rocky" Rockhouse
Production
Pike River was shot on location in Greymouth, New Zealand, between November and December 2023.[1][2] Speaking to Variety in May 2024, producer Vicky Pope described the film as "Erin Brockovich meets Norma Rae – New Zealand's own version, gutsy and real", and said of the casting, "We are so thrilled about the powerhouse partnership of [Lynskey] and [Malcolm] ... two incredible actresses playing two incredible women".[3]
Release
The film premiered at the Sydney Film Festival on 7 June 2025, ahead of its theatrical release in New Zealand later in the year.[4]
Reception
Richard Phillips of the Trotskyist website World Socialist Website gave a critical review of Pike River, claiming that director Robert Sarkies did not consult all of the Pike River miners' families. He also criticised the film for omitting the Sixth Labour Government's aborted re-entry of Pike River Mine in 2021.[5]
References
- ^ Ritman, Alex (2 November 2023). "Production Underway for NZ Film Based on the Pike River Mine Tragedy". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Simich, Ricardo (21 March 2024). "Pike River movie to star Robyn Malcom and Melanie Lynskey? - Spy". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (9 May 2024). "Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm to Lead 'Pike River' Thriller About New Zealand Mining Disaster, Signature Launching Sales in Cannes (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Copek, Caron (8 May 2025). "Pike River film to receive world premiere at Sydney Film Festival". Stuff. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ Phillips, Richard (29 June 2025). "Pike River movie undermined by glaring omissions". World Socialist Website. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
External links
- Pike River at IMDb