If you’ve spent any time in the weird, blood-soaked corners of New Zealand cinema, you already know Milo Cawthorne. You just might not realize it yet. For some, he’s the bumbling, heart-of-gold Ziggy Grover from Power Rangers RPM. To others, he’s the face of heavy metal horror in Deathgasm.
Honestly? He’s one of those rare actors who can pivot from a kids' superhero show to a gory splatterfest without breaking a sweat. It’s a wild career trajectory. Most actors pick a lane and stay there. Milo? He basically built his own lane out of scrap metal and guitar strings.
The Power Rangers Pivot
Let’s talk about the green elephant in the room. Power Rangers RPM is widely considered one of the best—if not the best—seasons in the entire franchise. It was dark, gritty, and weirdly mature. At the center of that was Milo Cawthorne as Ziggy.
He wasn't your typical martial arts expert. He was a guy who accidentally tripped into a superhero suit while trying to outrun the mob. It was comedic gold. You’ve got this post-apocalyptic setting, and then there’s Ziggy, providing the soul and the punchlines.
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Beyond the Spandex
While RPM gave him a global platform, it’s his work in indie film where things get really interesting. He has this knack for playing the "everyman" who is way over his head. It’s a specific kind of charisma. You find yourself rooting for him even when he's accidentally summoning demons or stuck in a drug-fueled time loop.
Speaking of time loops, Blood Punch is a masterpiece that far too few people have seen. It’s a tight, nasty little thriller starring Milo and his RPM co-stars Olivia Tennet and Ari Boyland. If you haven't seen it, stop what you're doing. It’s basically Groundhog Day if everyone was a meth cook and everyone hated each other.
Milo Cawthorne Movies and TV Shows: The Essential Watchlist
If you're looking to dive into his filmography, you can't just pick at random. You have to understand the "Milo Energy." It’s a mix of frantic anxiety and surprising competence.
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- Deathgasm (2015): This is the big one. He plays Brodie, a metalhead who finds an ancient piece of sheet music that, well, summons the apocalypse. It’s loud. It’s gross. It’s hilarious. It’s everything a cult classic should be.
- Mega Time Squad (2018): Another New Zealand gem. It’s a low-budget sci-fi comedy about a small-town criminal who finds a time-travel device. Milo plays Damage, and while he’s not the lead here, he’s part of a brilliant ensemble that makes the movie work.
- Guns Akimbo (2019): You might remember this as "the Daniel Radcliffe movie with the guns bolted to his hands." Milo shows up as Hadley. It’s a high-octane fever dream that fits perfectly with his vibe.
- Mystic (2020-2021): A bit of a departure. It’s a family-friendly drama set in New Zealand, showing he can still do the grounded, "normal" stuff when he wants to.
Why He’s Still Everywhere in 2026
Fast forward to today. It’s 2026, and Milo’s career is having a massive second (or third?) wind. We just saw him in Wolf Man (2025), directed by Leigh Whannell. Getting into the Blumhouse ecosystem is a huge deal for a Kiwi actor. It’s that horror pedigree paying off.
And then there's the YouTube factor. If you're a gamer, you’ve probably seen him pop up in Viva La Dirt League sketches. It’s a perfect fit. He’s joined their recurring cast, bringing that same comedic timing he perfected back in his P.E.T. Detectives days.
The Return of Brodie?
The biggest buzz right now? Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon. Fans have been waiting over a decade for this. Returning to the role of Brodie feels like a full-circle moment. It’s the role that solidified him as a genre icon.
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He’s also been doing some voice work and smaller TV spots, like his guest stint on Shortland Street as Dr. Vincent Hughes. It’s funny seeing the guy who once fought robots now wearing scrubs, but that’s the New Zealand acting industry for you. Everyone does everything.
How to Keep Up With His Career
If you want to stay in the loop, you sort of have to look at the New Zealand film scene as a whole. Milo doesn't always do the big Hollywood blockbusters, and that’s a good thing. He picks projects with personality.
- Follow the Crew: Keep an eye on directors like Jason Lei Howden or Madellaine Paxson. If they’re making something, there’s a high chance Milo is involved.
- Support Indie NZ Cinema: Watch platforms like NZ On Screen. They have a massive archive of his earlier work, including things like Maddigan's Quest and Secret Agent Men.
- Check YouTube: Seriously, his work with Viva La Dirt League is some of his funniest stuff in years.
Milo Cawthorne isn't just an actor; he’s a staple of a very specific kind of creative energy. Whether he’s the bumbling hero or the terrified survivor, he brings a human element to the most insane premises.
Start your marathon with Deathgasm. If you can handle the chainsaws and the heavy metal, move on to Blood Punch. You’ll see why he’s stayed relevant for over twenty years in an industry that usually forgets people in two.
Next Step: Go watch the trailer for Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon to see how much the production value has jumped since the original.