IMDb 5.9 2005 HD

River Queen

River Queen

2005
Adventure War
114 min R NZ
5.625 / 10
5.9 IMDB

An intimate story set during the 1860s in which a young Irish woman Sarah and her family find themselves on both sides of the turbulent wars between British…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Vincent Ward / Jonathan Hawke / Rachael Boggs / Paul Grinder / Jen Butcher / Terri Kilmartin / Betty Fotofili / Chris Webb / Amand Weaver / Naomi Enfield / James Manttan / Katie Tate / Neil James
Starring
Samantha Morton / Kiefer Sutherland / Cliff Curtis / Stephen Rea / Temuera Morrison / Wi Kuki Kaa / Anton Lesser / Mark Ruka

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

intimate turbulent dramatic compelling raw nuanced understated powerful heartbreaking thoughtful tense authentic

Reviews

G
Genevieve Clarke
May 7, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

Set against the backdrop of colonial New Zealand, 'River Queen' offers a character-driven exploration of a family divided by war. Samantha Morton leads a capable cast, including Kiefer Sutherland and Temuera Morrison, in a story that prioritises emotional…

T
Thomas Abernathy
May 7, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is a powerful and often heartbreaking film. 'River Queen' excels in its portrayal of the human tragedy inherent in the conflicts of 1860s New Zealand, seen through the eyes of Sarah and her family. Samantha Morton’s performance…

I
Isabelle Dubois
May 7, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'River Queen' attempts an ambitious narrative, focusing on the intimate drama within an Irish family caught in the crossfire of 1860s New Zealand. Samantha Morton is a captivating presence, embodying Sarah's inner turmoil with palpable intensity. The film’s…

M
Marcus Bellwether
May 7, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Kiefer Sutherland and Cliff Curtis lend considerable gravitas to 'River Queen,' a film that dares to explore the human cost of colonisation from a personal perspective. The 1860s New Zealand setting is vividly realised, providing a dramatic stage…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 7, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Samantha Morton delivers a performance of quiet resilience in 'River Queen,' anchoring this intimate portrayal of life during New Zealand's tumultuous 1860s. The film skillfully captures the personal toll of the conflicts between British settlers and Māori, placing…

FAQs

'River Queen' adopts a tone that is both intimate and dramatic, reflecting the personal struggles of its characters against a backdrop of significant historical upheaval. The film aims to convey the emotional weight of being caught between warring factions during the British colonisation of New Zealand. It's likely to be a serious and often tense viewing experience, focusing on the human element of conflict rather than large-scale action, suggesting a more character-driven and perhaps somber atmosphere.