It’s not the Right but the Left that comes off
far worse in “ The Hunt.” The hunters are smug,
NPR-listening, kimono-wearing, caviar-eating,
anti-gun killers who seek approval on Twitter
from Ava DuVernay and hide their venality in
humanitarian causes.
“For the record, climate change is real!” one
liberal screams at a prone victim before
smashing his head open. Drinking a full sugar
soda is anathema for this group, who are finicky
and smug. “Who has the hand sanitizer?” one
asks while waiting to kill fellow Americans.
Right-wingers are mocked as well, to be sure.
One character brings up the “deep state” and
is convinced that a group of migrants he
encounters includes “crisis babies.” Sean Hannity
gets name-checked by another.
The script was written by Damon Lindelof, who
created “Watchmen” and “The Leftovers,” and
Nick Cuse, a writer on both projects. Craig Zobel,
who directed the post-apocalyptic survivalist
tale “Z for Zachariah,” takes the helm. Originally
scheduled to be released in September, the film
comes out now as political winds are blowing
ever stronger. It really isn’t sturdy enough not to
be ripped to shreds.
The filmmakers have created an uneasy and
often awkward mix of murderous violence and
social commentary, with one element often
stepping on the other. Not many films can
combine George Orwell references and a vicious
stabbing with a meat thermometer. It’s all as
subtle as a bear trap.
When the dust settles, “The Hunt” really
stars Betty Gilpin (from Netflix’s “GLOW”)
and Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”).