Venus and Mars (2015)

In the quiet town of Palmerston North, New Zealand, the seemingly peaceful existence was shattered in October 1996. A heinous attack on renowned fraud detective, Brent Garner, and the ensuing arson of his home made national headlines. The media spun tales of satanic worship, mysterious pyromaniacs, and a hate crime against the police that seemed straight out of a Hollywood thriller. The public, engrossed in the unfolding drama, remained blissfully unaware that the truth was far stranger than the provocative headlines. Behind the scenes, the Palmerston North police were grappling with fear and confusion. Garner, a beloved and respected figure, lay brutalized. The burning question was who would want to kill Garner, and why? The operation 'Venus' was launched to unravel the mystery. As evidence piled up, a chilling suggestion took shape - could one of their own be responsible? This sparked a secondary investigation, codenamed 'Mars,' aiming to uncover an unsettling truth. The reality, however, was as shocking as it was bizarre. Garner, desperate to escape his marriage, had orchestrated an elaborate scheme involving a fictitious attacker, a plot so meticulously planned he hoped it would leave his family financially secure while allowing him to start anew with a secret lover. He believed he could outsmart those he worked with daily, those who trusted him, who looked up to him. But he was gravely mistaken. As the web of lies grew, one detective, guided by instinct, saw through the façade. Risking his own career, he dared to challenge the narrative and expose the truth behind the deceit. The real story of Operation Venus/Mars proved to be one of the most shocking chapters in contemporary New Zealand history, a tale of high-stakes deception where a man was prepared to sacrifice everything, including his esteemed career and the safety of his colleagues, for a chance at a new life.

Venus and Mars is a drama movie featuring Craig Hall and directed by John Banas.

Venus and Mars is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Runtime, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy Venus and Mars on Amazon Video.