The Convert

Director Lee Tamahori is of Māori descent, as is much of the filmmaking team, including producer Te Kohe Tuhaka and the cast of Māori characters. Munro slides into White savior territory at times, but he's ultimately humbled and learns to integrate into rather than change the Māori culture. Men are shown to make most decisions, both within the British and Māori communities. Though Rangimai is initially saved by a British man, she's portrayed as courageous and skilled at battle, and British settler Charlotte is also portrayed as brave and capable. While Charlotte and Munro are respectful to the Māori tribes, other settlers refer to them as "barbaric" and "feral savages."

Bloody violence includes intense battles, canon fire, explosions, shooting, stabbing, and hitting with weapons. Dead bodies, injuries, and blood spatter are shown. A person has their throat slit, another is shot in the face at close range, and one is sliced in the forehead with a knife, all resulting in gory sprays of blood. A deep knife wound is shown in close-up as it's cleaned, a character is found dead with blood pooling from their head, a beating takes place off-screen and blood is seen on a person's face as a result, decapitated heads are shown in silhouette, and it's implied a character is murdered in a prison cell. There's reference to a person dying by suicide, death of a husband and child, cannibalism, and rape. A character describes an army attack where women and children were killed.

Two characters lay in bed together, naked beneath sheets, implying they've had sex. The woman's breast is partially exposed from the side. Another woman's breast is briefly seen when she marks her chest in a ritual. Male characters are seen shirtless and with buttocks exposed in traditional tribal clothing.

Language includes "bastard," both in English and in Māori with English subtitles, and exclamations of "God" and "Godforsaken." White settlers refer to Māori people as "barbaric" and "feral savages."

People drink alcohol at a dance, with dinner, and on a boat, though nobody is seen intoxicated.