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Pork Pie (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Pork Pie (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 105 mins · English
Directed by
Matt Murphy
Starring
Rima Te Wiata, James Rolleston, Ashleigh Cummings, Dean O'Gorman, Josh Thomson, Milo Cawthorne

A quirky and unconventional group embark on a journey across New Zealand. They become accidental outlaws, challenging societal norms and seeking lost connections. Pursued by a relentless posse of police officers and fueled by intense media attention, their escapade becomes a chaotic and unforgettable adventure.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Characters explained (6)
  2. 2 Where & when it takes place
  3. 3 Themes & meaning (3)
  4. 4 Character & meaning questions
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Every angle

6 main characters · contains spoilers

Pork Pie Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Pork Pie (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Luke (James Rolleston)

    A fearless, road-savvy driver whose skill behind the wheel keeps him one step ahead of the police. Charismatic and impulsive, he thrives on adrenaline and forms a tentative bond with Keira during the journey, even as his decisions put them all at risk.

    • 🚗 Car talent
    • 🧭 Quick-thinking
    • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Loyal ally
  • Jon (Dean O'Gorman)

    An Auckland-based writer who cannot finish his book and seeks closure by crashing a wedding and stealing a suit. He’s sardonic and emotionally turbulent, often clashing with others but driven by a desire to resolve his past with Suzie.

    • 🧠 Writer
    • 😠 Frustrated
    • 🗺️ Reluctant leader
  • Keira (Ashleigh Cummings)

    A vegan activist who joins the cross-country trip after growing tired of rude customers. She champions causes and seeks to amplify them through viral action, sometimes blurring the line between protest and performance.

    • 🌱 Activist
    • 🎤 Media-savvy
    • 💫 Free-spirited
  • Suzie (Antonia Prebble)

    Jon’s ex-fiancée who features in the wedding confrontation and later negotiates Jon’s legal path. She’s pragmatic, capable, and becomes a key ally in the pursuit of closure and resolution.

    • 💍 Ex-lover
    • 🧭 Pragmatic
    • 🧑‍⚖️ Ally
  • Becca (Siobhan Marshall)

    A radio personality who comments on Jon’s absence and plays a role in shaping public perception of the events. Becca’s broadcasting frames parts of the journey for audiences.

    • 🎙️ Radio
    • 🆒 Media influence
    • 🗣️ Voice of public
  • Bongo (Thomas Sainsbury)

    A conspiracy-theorist fan who offers help but brings danger, eventually injuring himself and creating additional obstacles as authorities hunt the group.

    • 🧠 Conspiracy
    • 🧰 Unpredictable ally
    • 💥 Risk-taker

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

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Setting

Where and When Does Pork Pie Take Place?

The setting of Pork Pie (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Location

Kaikohe, Wellington, Pōkeno, Waikato, Invercargill, Roxburgh, Southland, New Zealand

The narrative unfolds across a broad stretch of New Zealand, shifting from rural backroads to urban centers as a cross-country chase. Key settings include Kaikohe, a drive into Wellington for a wedding, journeys through Pōkeno and the Waikato region, and final scenes in Invercargill and Roxburgh in Southland. The varied landscapes—farm lanes, highway byways, and small-town streets—mirror the film’s fast-paced, improvised road-trip energy.

  • ❄️ Rural setting
  • 🗺️ Cross-country travel
  • 🚗 Car chase

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

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3 major themes

Pork Pie Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Pork Pie (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Road Trip

    A spontaneous cross-country journey drives the plot, pushing characters to improvise and form unlikely alliances. The road becomes a corridor for personal reckonings, romantic entanglements, and confrontations with authority. The chase and detours reveal how far people will go when freedom feels within reach.

  • Activism

    Keira’s vegan activism and media stunts push the group into the national spotlight, blurring lines between protest and performance. The film probes whether viral moments help or hinder a cause, and who benefits when personal stories are broadcast publicly. It raises questions about ethics, spectacle, and the price of visibility.

  • Relationships

    Romantic and platonic bonds falter and reform under pressure. Luke and Keira’s flirtation deepens into a chance at connection, even as danger and pursuit strain trust. Jon faces heartbreak and personal accountability, while Suzie’s role evolves from ex-lover to ally.

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

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Character & theme questions

Pork Pie Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Pork Pie (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does Pork Pie take place in New Zealand?

Pork Pie unfolds across a cross-country journey through New Zealand, starting in Kaikohe in the north and progressing through Wellington (where a wedding takes place), Pōkeno, and the Waikato region. The chase continues south to Invercargill and Roxburgh in Southland, showcasing a diverse range of settings from rural backroads to urban centers.

  • new zealand locations
  • kaikohe
  • wellington
  • invercargill
  • southland
  • setting
Q2

What time period is Pork Pie set in?

Pork Pie is set in contemporary modern-day New Zealand. The film does not specify a particular era, but the setting, technology, and social context reflect present-day life, including modern media and activism.

  • time period
  • modern new zealand
  • contemporary setting
Q3

What is the road trip theme in Pork Pie about?

The road trip theme drives the entire narrative, with characters embarking on a spontaneous cross-country journey that forces improvisation and unlikely alliances. The road becomes a corridor for personal reckonings, romantic entanglements, and confrontations with authority, exploring how far people will go when freedom feels within reach.

  • road trip
  • journey
  • cross country
  • adventure
  • freedom
Q4

How does Pork Pie explore activism and media?

Pork Pie examines activism through Keira's vegan protests and media stunts, which push the group into the national spotlight. The film questions whether viral moments help or hinder a cause, who benefits when personal stories are broadcast publicly, and explores the ethics of spectacle versus genuine activism.

  • activism
  • veganism
  • media
  • viral
  • protest
  • public attention
Q5

How do relationships develop in Pork Pie?

Relationships in Pork Pie falter and reform under pressure. Luke and Keira's flirtation deepens into a connection despite danger and pursuit. Jon faces heartbreak and seeks accountability with his ex-fiancée Suzie, whose role evolves from ex-lover to ally. The chaotic journey tests and transforms these bonds.

  • relationships
  • romance
  • love
  • trust
  • bond
  • partnership
Q6

Who is Luke in Pork Pie and what role does he play?

Luke (played by James Rolleston) is a fearless, road-savvy driver whose exceptional skill behind the wheel keeps the group one step ahead of police. He is charismatic and impulsive, thriving on adrenaline. During the journey, he forms a tentative bond with Keira, though his risky decisions put the entire group in danger.

  • luke
  • james rolleston
  • driver
  • road skills
  • protagonist
Q7

Who is Jon in Pork Pie and what is he searching for?

Jon (played by Dean O'Gorman) is an Auckland-based writer struggling to finish his book. He seeks closure by crashing a wedding and stealing a suit. Sardonic and emotionally turbulent, he is driven by a desire to resolve his past with his ex-fiancée Suzie, often clashing with others but ultimately seeking redemption.

  • jon
  • dean o'gorman
  • writer
  • wedding
  • closure
  • ex fiancee
Q8

Who is Keira in Pork Pie and why is she significant?

Keira (played by Ashleigh Cummings) is a vegan activist who joins the cross-country trip after growing frustrated with rude customers. She champions causes and seeks to amplify them through viral action, often blurring the line between protest and performance. Her media stunts bring national attention to the group.

  • keira
  • ashley cummings
  • vegan
  • activist
  • protest
  • viral
Q9

Who is Suzie in Pork Pie and what is her role?

Suzie (played by Antonia Prebble) is Jon's ex-fiancée who appears during the wedding confrontation. She is pragmatic, capable, and evolves from ex-lover to key ally in the group. Later, she negotiates Jon's legal path and helps facilitate resolution and closure for the characters.

  • suzie
  • antonia prebble
  • ex fiancee
  • ally
  • support
Q10

What genre is Pork Pie - comedy, crime, or action?

Pork Pie is a blend of comedy, crime, and action genres. The film uses a light, whimsical tone driven by the comedic premise of accidental outlawdom. While it features crime elements (the chase, police pursuit) and action sequences (car chases, escapes), the overall tone remains humorous and adventurous with a happy ending.

  • genre
  • comedy
  • crime
  • action
  • tone
  • style
Q11

What is the tone and style of Pork Pie?

Pork Pie has a light, whimsical tone driven by quirky character interactions and the comedic premise of accidental outlawdom. The fast-paced narrative follows a linear road trip structure with continuous chases and impulsive decisions. Despite police pursuit, the stakes are balanced by humor and adventure, resulting in an overall cheerful emotional weight.

  • tone
  • style
  • light
  • whimsical
  • comedic
  • adventurous

Movie threads

More Movies Like Pork Pie, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Pork Pie tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Quirky Road Trip Movies like Pork Pie

Mismatched trios on chaotic journeys, becoming folk heroes by accident. If you enjoyed the spontaneous, rebellious journey in Pork Pie, you'll love these movies. This thread features comedies about accidental outlaws on chaotic road trips, where mismatched groups find connection and become unlikely folk heroes, all with a lighthearted, fast-paced tone.

  • rebellious
  • free-spirited
  • energetic
  • quirky
  • escapist
  • romantic
  • Tone: light, whimsical, rebellious
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: A linear road trip structure propels a group of quirky characters who, through a series of impulsive decisions and mishaps, find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Their escapades, often fueled by a search for personal freedom or connection, attract public attention, turning their journey into a chaotic but ultimately uplifting adventure.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared mix of a FAST pace, LIGHT tone, and MEDIUM intensity. They center on the theme of rebellion against conformity, often through a comedic lens, and feature strong romantic subplots and the formation of a found family unit during a physical journey.

Lighthearted Crime Adventures similar to Pork Pie

Charming criminals and chaotic chases, where the crime is less important than the connection. For viewers who liked the comedic crime energy of Pork Pie, this thread gathers movies where bumbling outlaws and chaotic chases lead to hilarious adventures. These films balance action and pursuit with witty characters and a feel-good spirit, ensuring the stakes are fun, not frightening.

  • comedic
  • energetic
  • charming
  • lighthearted
  • chaotic
  • escapist
  • Tone: light, comedic, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is driven by a crime or series of illegal acts, but the consequences are played for laughs and character development. A relentless but often comically inept pursuit provides the momentum, while the core of the story revolves around the evolving relationships within the central group, leading to a satisfying and happy resolution.

Why they belong together: This thread unites films that successfully blend Crime and Comedy genres without crossing into strong violence or disturbing themes. They share a STRAIGHTFORWARD narrative, a HAPPY ending, and a LIGHT emotional weight, prioritizing charm and chaotic fun over grit and moral ambiguity.

Every angle

Pork Pie (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Pork Pie in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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