The Gone (2023)

The Gone (2023) is a New Zealand-Irish television drama series, first aired on 7 May 2023 on TVNZ in New Zealand and later shown in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia. The series consists of six episodes, a detective-crime genre, set in the remote town of Mt Affinity (artificial) on the North Island of New Zealand. The story begins when an Irish couple – Sinead Martin (Rachel Morgan) and Ronan Garvey (Simon Mead) – suddenly disappear while traveling here. The initial investigation, led by the local police, is supplemented by Dublin detective Theo Richter (Richard Flood), who has recently resigned after 20 years in the Garda, with the source likely to be a painful secret from his past. Theo is partnered with DS Diana Huia (Acushla‑Tara Kupe), a Māori police officer who returns to the town after a long absence. As well as dealing with a serious missing person case, Diana must also deal with tensions within her family, within the local community and with herself as she confronts traumatic childhood memories. A strong supporting cast, including Wiki and Buster Huia – Diana’s relatives – add emotional depth to the film. The strong ties to the small town, the celebration of Māori traditions and community cohesion are subtly demonstrated, with scenes of friendship, light conversation and nostalgic sadness appearing throughout.

This is also the highlight that makes The Gone different from the usual detective series, as the Guardian newspaper commented: "rich, warm characters that make this thriller so compelling". The plot revolves around clues related to the Irish drug line, the revenge plot from the Fallon family - those responsible for the arrest of a boss led by Sinead's mother - and the mystery of a murder case 17 years ago with the same signs when the couple's disappearance occurred.

The surprisingly long investigation reveals deep connections between the characters, leading to the climax in the final episode: the main culprit is Mayor Ken Armstrong (Matt Whelan), who is involved in Ronan's death; Valerie's sister cleans up the evidence; Theo and Diana's criminal status is also completely closed. In addition, the reporter character Aileen Ryan (Carolyn Bracken) also plays a key role. She suddenly disappeared after discovering human bones in the forest, opening up questions for the second part of the film.

The film received many compliments, especially for its spectacular filming and editing in New Zealand, haunting soundtrack, and awards at the New Zealand Television Awards 2023 such as "Best Drama", "Best Cinematography". However, some critics said that the film's pace was slow, the acting was sometimes awkward.

In short, The Gone is a vivid crime picture interwoven with Māori cultural elements, complex plot density and psychological depth of characters. The film is not only about chasing missing clues, but also about a journey of inner healing, understanding more about the connection between the past and the present - between people and the land they used to be attached to. This is a worthy choice for those who love the crime genre with emotional depth and unique cultural colors.