Give ‘We Were Dangerous’ a Shot
Nathalie Morris, Erana James, and Manaia Hall in We Were Dangerous | Credit: The Forge
We Were Dangerous takes us onto a remote island in 1954, where a group of young women fight against an unjust system and seek comfort in their friendship.
This is a powerful film that uses a fictional story to shine a light on historical events that happened. Though this takes place in New Zealand and centers some of the horrors that Māori people endured, it’s easy to extrapolate this and think about Indigenous people in the US. This story, while specific to this movie, touches on universal themes and atrocities.
What impresses me the most about We Were Dangerous is just how balanced the screenplay is. This film covers some really dark subject matter. Truly horrific abuses are alluded to throughout the film, creating a very real sense of fear and dread. And the fact that we don’t see any of the violent acts happening on the island makes things even more terrifying.
But the film isn’t wholly focused on those horrors. We also see how these courageous girls are able to find joy, friendship, and agency in an environment that seeks to strip them of their dignity, voice, and culture. Throughout the film, there are breaks where we see the characters dancing or singing together. There are moments when they are able to find some respite and speak their own language, be still with one another, or be silly together. These are wonderful moments that help us get a better sense of who these characters are and how they are coping in the midst of this impossible situation.
Nathalie Morris, Erana James, and Manaia Hall in We Were Dangerous | Credit: The Forge
The performances in We Were Dangerous are also incredibly powerful. Erana James plays Nellie, who’s the unofficial leader of the three young women at the center of this film. She is determined and strategic. Nothing escapes her sight, and she seems to always be putting together a plan of action. She also has a deep care for Daisy (Manaia Hall), who is joyful, silly, and treasures the simple things in life. These two have such a strong bond and the way they care for each other throughout the film is really beautiful.
The other stand-out performance in this film is Rima Te Wiata, who plays The Matron, the older woman tasked with re-educating these “delinquent” girls. This character is absolutely terrifying; she always seems to be lurking nearby, like a specter who might appear at any moment. This character is really ominous, and the horrors that she helps to inflict on these girls are beyond words.
But she’s not painted wholly as a villain. Throughout the film, there are moments when we hear the voice-over of The Matron, providing insight into her thought process and her own twisted ideology. Though she is the villain in this story, we learn that she has also been traumatized and indoctrinated, even if she doesn’t believe that.
We also see the pressures she’s under to keep her job. Her whole life is wrapped up in this job, and she believes what she’s doing is pleasing to God. This is a dangerous combination, and We Were Dangerous is effective in highlighting the harmful system that The Matron is also trapped in.
Rima Te Wiata in We Were Dangerous | Credit: The Forge
We Were Dangerous is a heartfelt, funny, and unflinching film about three young women who choose to assert their agency in a system that tries to strip them of dignity. It shows the beauty and power of friendship, while not shying away from some really difficult subject matter.
While I think there are some issues with the pacing and the ending feels a little rushed, on the whole, this is a really impressive movie. It’s beautifully written, and the performances are complex and nuanced. It’s one that’s flown under the radar, but is definitely worth watching if you’re able to.