Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Moving nonlinear Māori family drama has language, racism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Where to Watch
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Cousins
What's the Story?
COUSINS tells the story of three female Māori cousins, whose lives take different directions when one of them is placed in an orphanage. Over a number of decades, Makareta (played by Mihi Te Rauhi Daniels, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, and Briar Grace Smith) and Missy (Keyahne Patrick Williams, Hariata Moriarty, Rachel House) never give up on finding their cousin Mata (Te Ao Marama Baker, Te Raukura Gray, Tanea Heke), whose circumstances have led her to become separated not just from her family, but from her Māori identity too.
Is It Any Good?
Adapted from Patricia Grace's popular novel, this inspiring New Zealand drama about family, identity, and Māori culture demands your attention. Set across multiple decades, Cousins moves back and forth between the three main characters' lives, from childhood to young and older adulthood. The nonlinear narrative leaves many blanks for viewers to fill in with their interpretations. For example, there's no big sequence into how Mata finds herself unhoused, though it's not hard to see how, given the systemic injustices Māori people face in the movie, historically, and in real life today.
At the center of the film is the issue of identity and family, or as it's called in Māori, whānau. All three cousins have different relationships with their heritage. Makareta steps away from it, running away on the day of her arranged marriage, leaving Missy to volunteer to take her place, recognizing what it means to her family. Meanwhile, Mata, the tragic figure at the start of the film, cruelly has her identity taken away from her but regains her pride with the support system of her family. The beauty of the movie—which gives an insight into Māori culture so rarely seen on-screen—is about both the journey and the destination.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how identity and family are portrayed in Cousins. How do Makareta, Missy, and Mata's experiences of Māori life differ? What does it mean to belong to something? What does it mean to be a family? Do you have any cousins? What is your relationship with them like?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Does it seem necessary, or excessive? How does it contribute to the movie?
Talk about the racism in the movie. How do you feel about those scenes? Have you ever experienced or seen racism? How do you handle the situation? What would you do if you encountered it again?
Makareta, Missy, and Mata are all very different in terms of personality. How do they demonstrate compassion, courage, and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
What did you know of Māori culture before seeing this movie? Did you learn anything new about Māori culture and philosophy?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 2, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : July 22, 2021
- Cast : Rachel House , Chelsie Preston Crayford , Cohen Holloway
- Directors : Ainsley Gardiner , Briar Grace Smith
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : ARRAY Releasing
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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