The Changeover
Laura Chant, 16, lives with her mother and four-year-old brother Jacko in a poor new suburb on the edge of a partially demolished Christchurch, New Zealand. Laura is drawn into a supernatural battle with an ancient spirit who attacks Jacko and slowly drains the life out of him as the spirit becomes ever younger. Laura discovers her true identity and the supernatural ability within her, and must harness it to save her brother's life.
Why it matters
A moody supernatural thriller that blends New Zealand’s post-earthquake landscape with a classic witch-versus-evil-spirit showdown, grounding folklore in gritty modern reality.
- Rooted in Christchurch’s fractured urban ruins, the setting amplifies the film’s themes of loss and renewal with real-world texture.
- A rare antipodean entry in teen witchcraft horror, mixing coming-of-age with supernatural stakes.
- Practical effects and atmospheric tension build a slow-burn dread rather than cheap jump scares.
- Fans of folk horror and character-driven supernatural drama will appreciate its focus on family and identity over spectacle.
Directors
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
14
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
14
Supernatural
80
Creature
0
Disturbing
33
Fun Factor
17
Cerebral
57
Survival
17
