Our members, screenwriter Fiona Samuel (Consent, Bliss, Piece of My Heart), and producer Vicky Pope (Savage, Went Up The Hill, Gardening with Soul) are behind this impactful, and tender film coming to cinemas nationwide on October 30, 2025.
The film had its World Premiere at Sydney Film Festival earlier this week as a ‘Special Presentation’ at the 2,000 seat State Theatre. Congratulations to the entire team on the completion of this meaningful film.
The powerful drama is based on the November 2010 Pike River Mine tragedy that took the lives of 29 men underground.
The trailer offers a glimpse into the strength of performances from an all-star New Zealand cast. Pike River marks three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey’s (Yellowjackets, The Last of Us, Heavenly Creatures) homecoming to work on a New Zealand feature, working alongside BAFTA nominated NZ actress Robyn Malcolm (After the Party, Far North, Outrageous Fortune). The film also features Lucy Lawless (Xena, My Life Is Murder) as Helen Kelly, and Tim Gordon (The Kick) as Pike family spokesperson Bernie Monk.
Pike River tells the true story of Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey) and Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm) – two women who lost their loved ones in the disaster and became leading voices in the families’ long fight for truth and accountability.
Pike River was filmed on location in Greymouth, Wellington and Auckland. Pike River families have been closely involved in the production from its inception with the film supported by the Families Committee and Families Reference Group. Prominent Pike family members Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne, whose friendship the film focuses on, have endorsed the film.
The New Zealand premiere of Pike River is set to be held in Māwhera Greymouth in October, honouring the community at the heart of the story.