We Were Dangerous Review: Emotionally Thoughtful!

Set in 1950s New Zealand, We Were Dangerous follows three young women sent away to a remote correctional facility for delinquent girls. Directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, the film walks a fine line between historical drama and emotionally charged coming-of-age story, touching on themes of resistance, identity, and girlhood under institutional control. It’s a story rooted in the past, but told with a modern rhythm—raw, energetic, and unafraid to blur the boundaries between history and immediacy.

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What immediately stands out is the film’s evocative setting and the way it shapes the atmosphere of the story. The island where the institution is located feels like a character in its own right—rugged, misty, and cloaked in an unsettling stillness. The sheer majesty of the surrounding landscapes and ocean contrasts sharply with the strict, oppressive interiors of the facility, creating a tension between natural freedom and enforced order.

This contrast is beautifully enhanced by the film’s production design by Miro Harré, which leans into stark textures and period-accurate details without feeling staged or overly polished. Every space feels deliberate, from the cold dormitories to the worn uniforms, reinforcing the story’s sense of isolation.

The mood is further deepened by an eerie, emotionally resonant background score by Cam Ballantyne, which creeps in and out like the sea fog, heightening the sense of unease while never overwhelming the visuals or the grandiosity that this celluloid always maintains. Together, these elements work in harmony to establish a vivid, immersive world—one that feels at once distant and disturbingly close.

What makes We Were Dangerous resonate beyond its visuals is the strength of its three central characters. Nellie, Daisy, and Lou are not just rebellious teens dropped into a grim setting—they are fully fleshed out individuals, each carrying the weight of a past that explains how they ended up on the island. The film takes its time revealing these backstories, and each one feels grounded and emotionally compelling. Whether it’s Nellie’s trauma, Daisy’s quiet resilience, or Lou’s slow disillusionment with her privileged world, their arcs are layered and sensitively handled. It gives their rebellion weight and makes their friendship feel all the more earned.

The chemistry between the three primary leads is key, and it’s consistently strong. Erana James, Manaia Hall, and Nathalie Morris have a natural rhythm between them—supportive one moment, at odds the next, but always connected. The film leans heavily on their dynamic, and it pays off. Their relationship is the emotional engine of the story, and it’s what keeps you invested when the pace dips.

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Opposite them, Rima Te Wiata is chilling as the Matron. She’s cold, composed, and deeply unsettling. Her authority isn’t loud—it’s in her stillness, her unwavering gaze, her belief in control above compassion. She brings a real sense of danger to the screen. If there’s a drawback, it’s the pacing. Some stretches feel sluggish, and a tighter edit could’ve added punch. Still, We Were Dangerous from Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, is a visually rich and emotionally thoughtful film, with a trio of leads worth watching.

‘We Were Dangerous’ Rating – 3.75/5

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Surya Komal

Editor-in-Chief at Just for Movie Freaks

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