REVIEW

A fiercely original plot unfolds in Home Kills – a dark comedy about a failing home kills business run by two brothers.

Following its successful runs in Australia and the New Zealand International Film Festival, Home Kills has made its way to cinemas across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, where it was filmed.

The film is directed and written by Haydn Butler, a former Kawerau resident who now works in the television industry in Sydney. The film’s one-night screening at Whakamax was so popular that it had to be moved to a larger theatre to accommodate the crowd.

The post-screening Q&A with Butler revealed that the audience was engaged and impressed.

The plot centres on Mark (played by Josh McKenzie) and Tom (portrayed by Cameron Jones), who reluctantly return to their deceased father’s dilapidated property to manage his struggling home kills butchery.

Their plans take a darkly comedic turn when they discover a new and sinister way to boost their income: by killing people.

Home Kills blends raw, gritty humour with escalating tension, as the brothers’ schemes spiral out of control. McKenzie and Jones deliver authentic, gripping performances, supported by a strong cast including Stefan Dennis as a local gangster, Mavournee Hazel as Tom’s partner, and Dahnu Graham as a laid-back cop investigating the town’s mysterious disappearances.

The film's cinematography is striking, with the wintry, misty landscapes amplifying the characters’ sense of poverty and desperation. Beneath its darkly comedic surface, Home Kills explores themes of big business’ impact on small-town life and the complex dynamics between the two brothers: one a volatile risk-taker, the other a soon-to-be father seeking a more conventional life.

Butler's inspiration for the film came from a teenage memory of seeing the words “Home Kills” painted on a hill in Thornton, which sparked his imagination and ultimately led to this film with an unexpected twist.

Audience feedback at Butler’s Q&A was overwhelmingly positive, with many comparing the film’s quality to that of high-budget productions. Butler’s debut feature was produced on a modest budget of $250,000, with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and Film Bay of Plenty helped bring it to our screens.

As Home Killsprepares for streaming releases worldwide, it is poised to make a significant impact on platforms. This original film is a testament to Butler's creativity and vision, and it is certainly one to watch.