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With another election year upon us, political tensions are already running high. Both traditional media and social media have turned to outrage and name-calling (outside coronavirus panic, that is). And the over-the-top violence of the politically charged thriller The Hunt probably won’t make the situation any better.
The Hunt follows a group of strangers as they wake in a clearing in the middle of nowhere. All are gagged and left with nothing but a huge crate—which, they discover, contains a pig wearing clothing and a whole lot of weapons. Once they arm themselves, they find that they’re actually the targets—and the bullets, the arrows, and the grenades start flying. But those who manage to escape the clearing find that they’re still not safe—that they’re all just a part of a twisted, ruthless game.
The masters of the game—and of the film—go all out here. The Hunt is wild and crazy and ultra-violent. It definitely doesn’t hold back the gore—whether that means spilling innards or flying limbs. People are shot, impaled, gassed, and blown to pieces—sometimes more than one of the above and often in comically extreme ways. And as viewers are chuckling about the insanity of it all, they’ll keep wondering what could possibly come next.
Of course, this isn’t just a perfectly random game. From the beginning, it’s clear that there’s a division between the hunters and the hunted—and though it may originally seem to be something as simple as their tax bracket, it becomes much more political: the so-called “liberal elite” hunting a group of outraged everyday conservatives. And the result, of course, is both explosive and highly controversial.
Really, though, there’s so much more at play here. And while The Hunt may clock in at just 89 minutes long, this short and seemingly simple horror movie has a whole lot to say. Beyond the ridiculously graphic violence, it’s thoughtful and complex. No one here is without their faults; everyone is a jerk in their own way. The film explores not just political views but also things like rumors, revenge, and Internet hysteria. And all of those little subplots and side messages will give you something to mull over for days after you see it.
Smart and thought-provoking and also truly disturbing, The Hunt isn’t just another gory horror flick. Granted, you can definitely just take it at face value and follow along with the violence. But as the characters attempt to race to safety, you’ll find much more here to explore.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
