Raw and authentic, Uncle uses the backdrop of Kiwi summer for an empathetic look at the mental health crisis in New Zealand, through the story of a struggling man's connection with a three-year-old boy.
Uncle 2026
After a family emergency, the titular Uncle is suddenly tasked with caring for his best friend's three- year-old son, Buddy. Though he is not fully equipped for the responsibility, he throws himself into the role. As they pass time together during the buildup to Christmas, cracks start to show through Uncle's easygoing exterior. Beneath his kindness, there lies a quiet struggle and sadness that he must set aside just to make it through the day. Unaware of the weight Uncle carries, Buddy inadvertently draws him out of his shell and back into the rhythms of everyday life.
Through a patient and empathetic lens, director Ryan Alexander Lloyd uses his extensive cinematography experience to create a visually stunning portrait of New Zealand. Intimate and deeply human, Lloyd approaches mental health with honesty and restraint. Rīhari Te Are (Sgt. Haane) delivers a multilayered lead performance that is brimming with vulnerability, marking him as one of New Zealand's most exciting emerging talents. More than just a story about mental health, Uncle is also a meditation on community, masculinity and the small moments of connection that bring people together.
– Jordan Salomen