Laura Chant, 16, lives with her mother and four-year-old brother Jacko in a poor new suburb on the edge of a partially demolished Christchurch, New Zealand. Laura is drawn into a supernatural battle with an ancient spirit who attacks Jacko and slowly drains the life out of him as the spirit becomes ever younger. Laura discovers her true identity and the supernatural ability within her, and must harness it to save her brother's life.
Acting
Timothy Spall's deeply unsettling ancient-predator-in-a-man-suit energy
Cinematography
Earthquake-scarred Christchurch as haunted character itself
Production
Dollhouse dread that'll make you side-eye antiques
Director
Miranda Harcourt
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Filmed in post-quake Christchurch, the demolished suburbs aren't set dressing — they're real 2011 earthquake devastation the production incorporated.
Margaret Mahy's 1984 novel was the first YA book to win NZ's top literary prize; the film waited 33 years partly because directors Miranda Harcourt and Stuart McKenzie are married to the star (Melanie Lynskey) and her mother respectively.
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