Raglan residents, mark your calendars for a night of homegrown suspense, laughter, and local culture. The highly anticipated Waikato-shot feature film Home Kills is coming to the Raglan Old School Arts Centre on Friday the 13th of September, in an event organized by Waikato Screen and Raglan Arts Film Festival.
Written and directed by the talented Haydn Butler, Home Kills is a darkly comedic thriller that delves into the quirky and unsettling world of rural New Zealand. The film made its debut at last year’s New Zealand International Film Festival, where it received rave reviews, and critics hailed it as New Zealand’s Fargo. With its unique blend of suspense, humour and distinct Kiwi flavour, Home Kills is poised to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
Adding to the film’s appeal is its sensational cast, featuring some of Australasia’s most prominent actors. Cameron Jones (Shortland Street), Josh McKenzie (Filthy Rich, NBC’s La Brea), and Mavournee Hazel (Neighbours, CSI Sydney) bring dynamic performances to the screen. Veteran actor Stefan Dennis, best known as Paul Robinson on Neighbours, plays Woods, the film’s chief antagonist.
To start the evening and in the theme of the film, Waikato Screen offers a non-home killed sausage, coleslaw and sourdough to set the tone for a night. After the screening, there will be a Q&A session with director Haydn Butler and producer Matt Hicks, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at Home Kills, sharing their insights into the filmmaking and the inspiration behind this uniquely New Zealand story.
Erin Griffiths, founder of Waikato Screen, and Raglan resident, expressed her excitement about the film’s local screening. “Home Kills is fantastic!! Both my son and I loved it with some very laugh out loud moments” she said. “It was wonderful to see an Australian production come to town and put the beautiful Waikato on the big screen. This event is a great opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the talent and creativity that our area has to offer.”
Waikato Screen’s role as the Regional Film Office is to attract, support and facilitate film productions in our region for benefit to our communities. Haydn Butler emphasised the critical role that Waikato Screen played in bringing Home Kills to life, particularly in providing essential support with locations, crew, and local expertise, which was particularly important given that many of the key decision-makers were based in Sydney.
Home Kills has been praised for its authentic portrayal of rural life, capturing the essence of New Zealand’s small-town communities while weaving a narrative that is both thrilling and darkly humorous. The film’s stellar cast ensures that each character is brought to life with a distinctly Kiwi flavour, making it a truly unmissable cinematic experience.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly, so be sure to secure yours early. Whether you’re a fan of film, a supporter of local arts, or simply looking for a night out with a difference, the Home Kills screening at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre promises to be an event to remember.
Second screening (film only) 7.30pm Sunday 15 September.
R16 – Home Kills has course language, violent themes, and lots of dark humour.
