At the Movies for 30 April 2025

Simon Morris goes off the beaten track this week, including two features found on streaming services - Netflix's Havoc and Prime Video's My Old Ass. He also finds a surprising number of self-funded New Zealand movies this month, including romantic comedy The People We Love. He talks to director Mike Smith about the pros and cons of independence. Prime Video's My Old Ass and Netflix's Havoc have one thing in common - neither was exactly what their trailers promised. The first promises more of TV favourite Aubrey Plaza (White Lotus) than it delivers, while the latter offers rather more Tom Hardy (Venom) than anyone asked for. Independent film The People We Love is that very rare thing, a Kiwi romance. Writer-director Mike Smith (TV's My Life Is Murder and Siege) wonders we're so reluctant to make such a popular genre, and how to negotiate the perils of the indie film-maker. The People We Love stars Neill Reay (Brokenwood Mysteries) and Allison Bruce (Tina).