We Were Dangerous

In 1954, after the closure of her hometown's meatworks, Māori teenage girl Nellie is sent to Christchurch. This move is part of her family's efforts to find her a better life by placing her with a relative.

Upon arriving in Christchurch, Nellie is unable to find her relative and instead befriends another Māori teenager named Daisy. Daisy has a troubled past, having escaped various foster homes due to experiences of abuse.

Nellie and Daisy's friendship leads them to a series of reckless decisions, culminating in their arrest for shoplifting. Their actions are a cry for freedom from their difficult circumstances.

Both girls are sent to the Te Motu School for Incorrigible and Delinquent Girls. Here, they encounter the Matron, a devout woman intent on reshaping them into traditional roles of housewives and mothers.

The Matron employs harsh methods, integrating strict Christian teachings into her reprogramming efforts. She seeks to suppress the girls' Māori culture and individuality, enforcing oppressive housework and religious practices.

Determined to escape, Nellie, Daisy, and another girl named Pauline attempt to flee the reform school. Unfortunately, they are captured, indicating the struggles they face against the oppressive environment.

In response to the girls' defiance, the Matron relocates the school to a former leper colony on a remote island. This drastic move is meant to increase her control over the girls and deter any further mischief.

On the island, Nellie and Daisy meet Lou, a European girl who was sent to Te Motu after being caught with her female tutor. The three bond over their shared circumstances, forming a powerful friendship.

The Matron continues her attempts to break the girls' spirit, forcing them into chores while suppressing their cultural expressions. She punishes them for harmless acts, including their attempt to lead a rock and roll dance.

As the Matron struggles to maintain control, the girls plot their escape. They come up with a daring plan to gather supplies from the medical hut and build a raft to leave the island.

In a shocking act, the Matron enlists a doctor to perform forced sterilization on two girls under her authority. This brutal moment underscores the severity of their situation and the Matron's ruthless methods.

As tensions rise, Nellie finds herself in conflict with Lou, who appears to be siding with the Matron. Despite their friendship, Lou’s fear of breaking rules leads to disagreements and complications in their escape plans.

In a pivotal moment, the girls execute their plan by setting fire to the medical hut, destroying the oppressive tools used against them. This act of rebellion distracts the Matron, allowing them to make their escape.

After the fire, Nellie, Daisy, and Lou make their bid for freedom on an improvised raft. They leave the confines of the island behind, taking a brave step towards reclaiming their lives.

The film concludes with the girls sailing into the sunrise, symbolizing hope and freedom. Their journey represents resilience in the face of adversity, as they seek a future beyond the oppressive school.