Review: Night Raiders is gripping, provocative and chilling indigenous storytelling

A new project by Taika Waititi has been released in theaters.
night raiders might have a Canadian director, but it has a lot of Kiwi support.
Captivating, provocative and chilling indigenous storytelling. It’s time to hit the cinema to see a New Zealand/Canadian co-production that begs to be seen on the big screen.
This is night raiders. Set in a dystopian future world after a world at war, where the remaining children are drafted into military service, night raiders pumps the blood into the heart of a mother’s love for her daughter in a world where the sins of the past seep into the pores of every survivor.
Niska has spent her life hiding and protecting her daughter Waseese at all costs when she is forced to make a horrific choice to order to save her.
Refusing to let her go, she has to open up to trusting strangers even though she knows some are not to be trusted at all.
Anchored by standout performances from Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (mother) and Brooklyn Letexier-Hart (daughter) and with rising Kiwi star Alex Tarrant and veteran actor Amanda Plummer in support, the lean and genuinely agonizing delivery elevates this story in an incredibly engaging and memorable sci-fi intertwined with very powerful messages about the oppressions, rights and heritage of Indigenous peoples.
Four and a half stars.