NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Jen Shieff
Film reviewer
Taupō

The New Zealand Herald has more than 200 journalists across the country, bringing you the stories that matter on our website and app, in print and across our social media platforms.

Film reviewer

Check out Jen’s latest content
Review: The Lesson - a gripping British thriller
New Zealand

Review: The Lesson - a gripping British thriller

09 Sep 11:30 PM
Review: The Marlow Murder Club a fun 'cosy crime' series
New Zealand

Review: The Marlow Murder Club a fun 'cosy crime' series

02 Sep 01:09 AM

The series, written by Richard Thorogood and director Steve Barron, is streaming on TVNZ+.

Review: Mark Wahlberg's The Union 'a bit silly' but also a load of fun
New Zealand

Review: Mark Wahlberg's The Union 'a bit silly' but also a load of fun

27 Aug 01:00 AM

OPINION: Sit back, expect nothing and enjoy the ride.

Hitler and the Nazis series makes for compelling, disturbing viewing
Reviews

Hitler and the Nazis series makes for compelling, disturbing viewing

13 Aug 10:00 PM

OPINION: It's occasionally so appalling, you’ll have to look away.

Movie provides insight into drinking culture
New Zealand

Movie provides insight into drinking culture

30 Jul 11:31 PM

Outback Aussie movie highlights drinking culture.

Documentary explores dark side of conspiracy theory
New Zealand

Documentary explores dark side of conspiracy theory

22 Jul 11:35 PM

Movie shines a light on trauma heaped on victims by a conspiracy theorist.

Star-crossed lovers at centre of Māori drama
New Zealand

Star-crossed lovers at centre of Māori drama

15 Jul 08:30 PM

This historical drama builds on the legacy of indigenous filmmaking.

Sad history of rainbow comedians laid bare
Reviews

Sad history of rainbow comedians laid bare

08 Jul 02:12 AM

Documentary film delves into the once-secret history of LGBTQIA+ representation in comedy.

Film review: Strawberry Shortcake’s Summer Vacation
Reviews

Film review: Strawberry Shortcake’s Summer Vacation

01 Jul 08:45 PM

This cute, animated adventure is the perfect rainy-day school holiday viewing.

Five films worth watching from the 2024 French Film Festival
New Zealand

Five films worth watching from the 2024 French Film Festival

17 Jun 09:00 PM

A quick look at some of the films in this year's NZ French Film Festival.

Mini series provides a different spin on Vietnam war
Reviews

Mini series provides a different spin on Vietnam war

04 Jun 01:33 AM

The Sympathiser provides a new perspective on post-war Vietnam.

French foodie film serves up the story of the first restaurant
Reviews

French foodie film serves up the story of the first restaurant

27 May 02:30 AM

"Delicious" follows the story of a signature dish and its creator in the 1700s.

Review: Gritty and witty combine in British spy drama
New Zealand

Review: Gritty and witty combine in British spy drama

19 May 11:20 PM

Characters are at the heart of this British spy drama starring Bill Nighy.

Review: Documentary explores Merkel's life and legacy
Reviews

Review: Documentary explores Merkel's life and legacy

12 May 11:39 PM

Doco sheds light on the life of one of Europe's foremost leaders.

Whodunnit drama delves into family dynamics
Reviews

Whodunnit drama delves into family dynamics

04 May 07:00 PM

Sam Neill stars in adaptation of a family-centered mystery novel.

Adult themes in rites of passage movie
Reviews

Adult themes in rites of passage movie

29 Apr 12:21 AM

This racy film delves into tribulations around sex and consent for young people.

Review: Ripley is a cynical, malevolent take on a classic
Reviews

Review: Ripley is a cynical, malevolent take on a classic

22 Apr 02:16 AM

Film noir style tells the well-known story of The Talented Mr Ripley in a fresh, new way.

The Regime review: Kate Winslet shows tyrannical side
Reviews

The Regime review: Kate Winslet shows tyrannical side

18 Apr 10:00 PM

Well-put-together miniseries has echoes of Succession.

Spooky English house the quiet star of domestic drama
Reviews

Spooky English house the quiet star of domestic drama

08 Apr 11:36 PM

This domestic drama shows the vulnerability behind the glamour of one New York family.

High society's ugly side on display
Reviews

High society's ugly side on display

30 Mar 06:25 PM

Series examines the drama between Truman Capote and New York's socialites.

Review: Drama skirts controversy of real-life story
Reviews

Review: Drama skirts controversy of real-life story

25 Mar 12:30 AM

Drama based on a true story dances around the nitty gritty.

Movie 'Shortcomings' a humorous snapshot of modern love in New York
Reviews

Movie 'Shortcomings' a humorous snapshot of modern love in New York

20 Mar 01:30 AM

Fresh, funny graphic novel adaptation is Randall Park's directorial debut.

What our reviewer thought of Oscar-winning Zone of Interest
Reviews

What our reviewer thought of Oscar-winning Zone of Interest

11 Mar 12:20 AM

Quiet horror lurks in tale of Nazi commandant's family living in the shadows of Auschwitz.

Doco and drama combine for Einstein story
Reviews

Doco and drama combine for Einstein story

02 Mar 08:00 PM

Docudrama explores Einstein's little-known English hideout.

Review: French retro comedy a triumphant farce
Reviews

Review: French retro comedy a triumphant farce

25 Feb 10:30 PM

The French are known for their mastery of farce, and The Crime is Mine is no exception.

Elvis's wife takes centre-stage in illuminating biopic
Reviews

Elvis's wife takes centre-stage in illuminating biopic

18 Feb 10:40 PM

Although known for being Elvis's wife, Priscilla is very much centre-stage in this biopic.

Opinion: Starlight burning out: Taupō cinema a vital cultural lifeline
New Zealand

Opinion: Starlight burning out: Taupō cinema a vital cultural lifeline

16 Feb 04:00 PM

Reviewer Jen Shieff weighs in on the impending loss of Taupō's only cinema.

Documentary charts musical innovator's quiet rise
Reviews

Documentary charts musical innovator's quiet rise

08 Feb 11:25 PM

A light directorial touch allows the story of Jon Batiste to flourish.

Gripping, gritty drama shows girl power of a different kind
Reviews

Gripping, gritty drama shows girl power of a different kind

01 Feb 10:35 PM

This gritty, graphic dramedy shows a real-world crime boss of a different kind.

Hidden truths central to French film-making masterclass
Reviews

Hidden truths central to French film-making masterclass

25 Jan 10:30 PM

This subtitled French film follows the quiet drama in a group of old friends.

Mesmerising documentary about famous spy writer
Reviews

Mesmerising documentary about famous spy writer

18 Jan 10:28 PM

This John le Carre documentary looks at the real man behind the thrilling spy tales.

Film review: We Are Still Here - a story of power, strength and survival
Reviews

Film review: We Are Still Here - a story of power, strength and survival

19 Feb 10:29 PM

A standout post-colonial anthology about power, strength and survival.

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP