Synopsis:
Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen… for a very specific purpose … The Hunt.
Well, it looks like President Trump was successfully trolled. As most of us know, The Hunt was originally set to be released in the fall of 2019 but was eventually shelved due to mass shootings that happened around the same time as marketing began ramping up. Before the delay, Trump took to Twitter to attack the movie before anyone knew what it was actually about. Now that I have seen the violent and outrageously satirical Blumhouse production, his tweet looks rather silly. In The Hunt, the joke is on us all and within all good jokes lie some truths. No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, you’re a target and there’s no hiding. Not only is this movie a big comical killing spree that’s reminiscent of The Most Dangerous Game, The Hunger Games, and The Purge, but it shows how ridiculous we all are sometimes.
There are a few teaching moments but they are very short-lived and not really worth mentioning. Ultimately, the movie’s message is that it has no message. It felt to me that this was more of a personality check, and it turns out that we’re all assholes. The writers aren’t completely wrong. Focusing most of the jokes on fake “woke culture” and online conspiracies, it’s so over the top that you can’t be offended. Laugh at yourself, it’s okay. Apart from that, it’s entertaining to watch. Some characters are killed off quicker than you’d think, and quicker than some should’ve been. The score is big and slightly humorous to the point that you know not to take it all so seriously. The action isn’t overly creative but it definitely works as I recall a few times that I exclaimed, “oh shit” and Betty Gilpin has some witty dialogue to go along with the gun smoke. Two scenes really stick out and embody the movie, one of which is the climax. Hilary Swank gives a chilling speech that sets up a fantastic fight. Overall, it’s a fun and violently good time but is over hyped when it comes to controversy. Leaving us with one lingering question, who is the jackrabbit?
Plot & Pace
The story follows a group of “Liberal Elites” that have orchestrated a hunt of sorts and the prey are a group they have kidnapped and deem as “deplorables.” Once the kidnapped group awakes after being drugged, they are gifted weapons to defends themselves from a group that they aren’t initially aware of. Bullets begin flying and connecting almost immediately as the group struggles to survive the onslaught. Conspiracy theory come alive, the group realizes who the shooters are and now have to fight back, survive and tell the world, or die. The movie moves a relatively fast pace and covers most of its tracks. However, some things could’ve been explained and displayed better. There’s not a dull moment in the movies entirety.
Characters & Chemistry
Betty Gilpin as Crystal was phenomenal. From her demeanor to her action scenes, she was a real badass. Hilary Swank as Athena was menacing and somewhat felt like a Bond villain or the final boss in a video game. The dynamic between the two characters makes the already crazy journey worth it.
The Hunt releases in theaters on March 13th. Enjoy the movie and wash your hands.
Director: Craig Zobel
Writers: Nick Cuse, Damon Lindelof
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 29m
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
