The Harvesters
An emotionally frail Afrikaans farm boy battles a newly adopted rival for belonging, parental love, and the right to define himself.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- austere
- melancholic
- oppressive
- arthouse film night
- serious drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an incisive, culturally specific examination of masculinity and queer identity, supported by a confident debut and strong atmosphere.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Janno's secretive difference and emotional frailty are tested by a conservative farming community obsessed with strength and masculinity.
Marie brings Pieter into the household and asks Janno to make him a brother, turning parental love and heritage into a struggle between the two boys.
The isolated Free State stronghold protects a specifically Afrikaans white minority culture while intensifying social conformity.
The film centers secretive, emotionally frail Janno within a severe household where religious authority and masculine expectations generate sustained tension.
Films like The Harvesters, and why
God's Own Country
shared focus on repressed queer identity, rural conservatism, religious pressure, and masculine violence
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
shared austere coming-of-age drama, isolated rural setting, and conflict between sexuality and social expectations
The Wound
shared queer adolescence, institutionalized masculinity, and emotionally restrained visual storytelling
The Rider
shared bleak family drama, outsider identity, and patriarchal social pressure in a culturally specific setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Etienne Kallos
- Release Date
- 2018-08-23
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (47)
Cast
- Brent Vermeulen
- Alex van Dyk
- Juliana Venter
- Morné Visser
- Danny Keogh
- Erica Wessels
- Benré Labuschagne
- Roxanna Kerdachi
- Biané Hattingh
- Barné Hattingh
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Dekkoo, Dekkoo Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Harvesters about?
- An emotionally frail Afrikaans farm boy battles a newly adopted rival for belonging, parental love, and the right to define himself.
- What is The Harvesters like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Harvesters as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Harvesters violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Harvesters as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Harvesters?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an incisive, culturally specific examination of masculinity and queer identity, supported by a confident debut and strong atmosphere.
- Which films are like The Harvesters?
- Films with a similar feel include God's Own Country, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, The Wound, and The Rider.
- How long is The Harvesters?
- The Harvesters runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Harvesters?
- In United States, The Harvesters streams on Dekkoo, Dekkoo Amazon Channel.
