A satirical feature film is hard to pull off and the
filmmakers here have learned that a trailer for a
satirical film is even harder. The balancing act is
subtle for both and context is crucial. Jonathan
Swift, one of the best at poking fun at society,
called satire a tricky mirror where you see what
you want: “Satire is a sort of glass, wherein
beholders do generally discover everybody’s
face but their own.”
“The Hunt” is not great satire or even a great
film. It’s an unstylish and heavy-handed horror-
thriller that turns into a revenge gore-fest as it
mocks everyone with a big clumsy paw. It balks
at making any grand conclusions about the state
of America or how to heal our divisions, unless
there’s a message in the red-state character
played by Gilpin cauterizing her torso wound
with a high-end, blue-state kitchen torch.
Full Coverage: Film Reviews
Toward the end, “The Hunt” warns us to be
careful not to jump to conclusions about others
or believe in dark internet conspiracies. That’s
supremely ironic, given what happened to this
film. Anyway, it’s too late. These are not healthy
days for satire, no matter how clownish.
“The Hunt,” a Universal Pictures release, is rated
R for strong bloody violence and language
throughout. Running time: 90 minutes. Two stars
out of four.
Online: http://www.thehunt.movie
MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying
parent or adult guardian.