Watch The Hunt

The Hunt is an action-packed thriller released in 2020 that is directed by Craig Zobel. The movie features a talented ensemble cast that includes renowned actresses like Hilary Swank and Betty Gilpin as well as actors like Ike Barinholtz. The film revolves around a group of strangers who wake up in a mysterious location, unsure of how they got there. As they begin to explore, they realize that they are being hunted for sport by a group of wealthy elites.

The opening of the movie sets an eerie and tense mood as viewers are placed in the middle of a forest where we see several captive people being hunted down by an unseen force. From the get-go, the urgency is apparent and the audience can feel the tension rise as we see the bloodied faces of the hunted. This is when the movie's plot is revealed, a twisted and messed up game to hunt human beings before the hunters become the hunted.

The plot, while uncomfortably repugnant in its premise, is actually quite intriguing. The audience is drawn into a world where people exist solely as props in a twisted game. In the beginning, the audience is given no context or background information, and it is up to the storyline to fill in the missing pieces. Interwoven into the plot are themes of social status, political affiliations, and moral dilemmas.

One of the key elements of The Hunt is its exploration of social class and how it affects people's attitudes towards others. The movie demonstrates the differences in the ways the rich and the poor view the world and their perspectives on each other. A strong theme that emerges in the movie is the concept that people aren't just satisfied with their social status; they also need others to know it. The film shows us a world where members of the upper class openly view others as disposable, and they kill them with the same gravity as swatting a fly. This arrogant sense of entitlement conveys a powerful message about the harsh and inhumane realities of class warfare.

Hilary Swank and Betty Gilpin, the two leading actors in the movie, deliver stirring performances. They bring grit and intensity to their respective roles, creating two complete characters with a range of emotions. Swank, as the leader of the group of hunters, infuses her character with a fierce and calculating persona, while Gilpin's character, as the hunted, initially appears as a wallflower but quickly evolves into a resilient and smart hunter.

The Hunt's story is quite compelling, and the film's pacing is steady, drawing the audience in slowly but surely. It is worth noting that the movie is filled with gore and violence. Still, these instances are not so gratuitous that they detract from the story. The violence exists mainly to make a statement about society and does so with clarity.

The Hunt's ending also feels satisfactory, wrapping up several plot lines while leaving others open to interpretation. While the movie could have easily wrapped things up as a traditional horror flick or alluded to sequel plans, the filmmakers chose to ponder the nuances of the human condition, leaving the audience with plenty of questions to unpack.

In conclusion, The Hunt is a well-crafted horror thriller that subverts expectations while delivering a thought-provoking social commentary. Hilary Swank and Betty Gilpin's performances are compelling and make the movie enjoyable from beginning to end. The Hunt is not for everyone, but those willing to give it a shot will find it to be a fantastic ride filled with exciting twists and turns.

The Hunt is a 2020 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 50.