Tattooist, The

A supernatural thriller that forges the disparate worlds of urban tattoo counter-culture with Samoan cultural taboo, Jason Behr plays an American tattooist in Auckland who inadvertently unleashes a curse via his stolen tattooing implement.

While meeting its obligations as a horror-thriller, this isn't able to fully tap into the rich cultural vein of its setting, while conversely, the suspense only cuts skin deep perhaps on account of its cultural sensitivity. That said, the finale effectively blends fantasy elements with serious notions of honour and shame, while it scores highest marks for its beautifully designed tattoo make-up and special effects. Co-written by Jonathan "Black Sheep" King and Matt Grainger.