IMDb 6.3 1999 HD

Scarfies

Scarfies

1999
Comedy Thriller
101 min R NZ
5.2 / 10
6.3 IMDB

This dark comedy is set in Dunedin, New Zealand. A university student finds an old "abandoned" house and proceeds to invite other students to share. It even has…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Robert Sarkies / Katherine Fry / Axel Paton / Lisa Marinkovich / Damon Martin
Starring
Willa O'Neill / Taika Waititi / Charlie Bleakley / Neill Rea / Ashleigh Seagar / Jon Brazier / Mark Neilson / David Kilgour

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

intriguing dark humorous unsettling curious character-driven atmospheric unconventional suspenseful quirky sharp memorable

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 12, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'Scarfies' offers a refreshingly unconventional take on student living in Dunedin, New Zealand. The film’s dark comedic heart beats strongly around the discovery of a surprisingly functional 'abandoned' house. This intriguing setup allows for a nuanced exploration of…

A
Alistair Finch
May 12, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A hidden gem of New Zealand cinema, 'Scarfies' is a masterclass in sustained dark humour and subtle tension. The film's genius lies in its deceptively simple premise: a group of students moves into an 'abandoned' house that inconveniently…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 12, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Scarfies' presents a compelling, if somewhat uneven, dark comedy rooted in the student life of Dunedin. The central conceit of an occupied 'abandoned' house with power is a strong hook, generating immediate narrative tension. The ensemble cast, including…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 12, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

There's a peculiar charm to 'Scarfies', a 1999 offering that cleverly uses its New Zealand setting to craft a uniquely unsettling student experience. The core concept – finding a functional, 'abandoned' house – is a masterstroke of dark…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 12, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Dunedin's student quarter becomes the unlikely stage for 'Scarfies', a dark comedy that thrives on its intriguing premise. A student's discovery of a seemingly abandoned, yet powered, house sets in motion a chain of events for a group…

FAQs

Taika Waititi's involvement in 'Scarfies' predates his international fame, offering a glimpse into his early career. While specific details of his role aren't provided, his presence suggests a performance that contributes to the film's comedic or dramatic fabric. Audiences familiar with his later, more distinctive directorial and acting style might find it interesting to observe his contribution here, potentially seeing early signs of the charisma and unique comedic timing that have become his trademarks, even within a different directorial vision.