Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The movie follows a period of several weeks in the family's life showing Jake's frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home while the elder son is about to join a stree... (Full plot summary below)
Enjoy FREE movies and series with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UK only | 1 Month Free Trial | 09 Dec 2020 | 3679 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 77% |  Report: Broken Link |   |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 07 May 2017 | 5116 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 73% | Report: Broken Link | |
| IRELAND only | 1 Month Free Trial | 01 Mar 2026 | 4244 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 72% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 13 Jul 2022 | 821 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 96% | Report: Broken Link | |
![Its HD [Once Were Warriors]](/images/logos/icons/itshd.png){kind=icon} | WORLDWIDE | ? | 12 May 2020 | 3635 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 94% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 22 Nov 2024 | 838 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 46% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | Free Credit | 21 May 2013 | 135 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 46% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 06 Feb 2026 | 190 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 27% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 26 Jan 2026 | 20 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 10% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 20 Jul 2024 | 95 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 12% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 19 Nov 2019 | 11 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 13% | Report: Broken Link | |
Links compiled using automated software. Availability of offers subject to change / might be region specific / out of date.
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 21 Dec 2025 | 774 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Post | 83% |  Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | N/A | 21 Dec 2025 | 19 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Post | 49% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 21 Dec 2025 | 124 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Mail | 12% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 21 Dec 2025 | 13385 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Mail | 92% | Report: Broken Link | |
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 11 Jun 2025 | 325 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Post | 67% | Report: Broken Link | |
| UK only | N/A | 11 Jun 2025 | 92 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Post | 14% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 21 Dec 2025 | 798 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Mail | 10% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 11 Jun 2025 | 5926 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Mail | 95% | Report: Broken Link | |
Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The movie follows a period of several weeks in the family's life showing Jake's frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home while the elder son is about to join a street gang. Jake's daughter has her own serious problems which are a key element in the plot.
Leave your thoughts about Once Were Warriors.
| Deseret News (Salt Lake City)Chris HicksHeartbreaking, frustrating, an observation of domestic violence and a tribute to the wives who ultimately refuse to remain victims. |
| The New RepublicStanley KauffmannYet familiar as the pattern is ... the film holds because of the acting and because it functions as travelogue. |
| Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranAs often happens when films are intent on getting a message across, Once Were Warriors can't stop itself from overdoing things. |
| South Florida Sun-SentinelRoger HurlburtOnce Were Warriors is a savage and dismaying tale of a venerable culture in decay and a film difficult to recommend. |
| New York Daily NewsJami BernardOnce Were Warriors has more to say than the traditional TV-movie about spousal abuse. But some viewers will have to pay a price: This is a movie that requires strength and fortitude to sit through. |
| Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanThe violence in Once Were Warriors (Fine Line, R), a tumultuous domestic drama from New Zealand, erupts with terrifying suddenness. |
| Filmcritic.comChristopher NullIt is a painful and very effective tale about the destructive power of abuse, rape, alcoholism, and violence in general that easily transcends its New Zealand origin. |
| Baltimore SunStephen HunterIt's a fine, fierce and nearly unforgettable movie. |
| Chicago TribuneMichael WilmingtonThe howling raging energy of the prize-winning New Zealand film Once Were Warriors rushes at you, hits you like a smack in the face. |
| Reel Film ReviewsDavid NusairThe film isn't, ultimately, quite able to reach the heights attained by its star... |
