IMDb 5.6 2024 HD

First Horse

First Horse

2024
Drama History Western
11 min NR NZ
5.6 IMDB

In pre-colonial Aotearoa a young Māori girl witnesses the best and worst of a rapidly changing world when she encounters a dying man and his horse.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Awanui Simich-Pene
Starring
Te Atakōrihi Tūtengaehe / Troy Kingi

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

poignant thought-provoking atmospheric sensitive understated visually striking emotionally resonant culturally rich contemplative slow-burn impactful raw

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
Mar 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'First Horse' offers a rare and beautiful window into a significant historical moment in Aotearoa. Te Atakōrihi Tūtengaehe shines as the young protagonist, her journey from innocence to a dawning awareness of the world’s dualities forming the emotional…

O
Oliver Sterling
Mar 13, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'First Horse', we are presented with a quiet, contemplative drama set against the evocative backdrop of ancient Aotearoa. Te Atakōrihi Tūtengaehe’s performance is earnest, capturing the initial wonder and subsequent apprehension of her young character. The narrative…

I
Isabelle Dubois
Mar 13, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A truly captivating cinematic achievement, 'First Horse' is a triumph of understated storytelling. Te Atakōrihi Tūtengaehe is a revelation, her performance a masterclass in conveying complex emotions through subtle expression. The film’s direction masterfully immerses the viewer in…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Mar 13, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

The premise of 'First Horse' is undeniably intriguing, setting a compelling stage in pre-colonial Aotearoa. Te Atakōrihi Tūtengaehe carries the emotional weight of the narrative with a natural grace, portraying a young girl grappling with unprecedented circumstances. While…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Te Atakōrihi Tūtengaehe delivers a remarkably assured performance as the young girl at the heart of 'First Horse'. Her wide-eyed innocence gradually gives way to a profound understanding of her rapidly shifting world, a transformation handled with sensitivity…

FAQs

The horse in 'First Horse' acts as a powerful symbol of change and the unknown. Its appearance marks a disruption to the established order of pre-colonial Aotearoa, introducing a novel element that brings both wonder and potential conflict. For the young protagonist, it represents a gateway to understanding the wider world and its inherent dualities – the best and the worst of human experience.