READY OR NOT meets THE PURGE
In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, a group of elites gathers for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt ordinary Americans for sport. But the elites’ master plan winds up derailed when one of the hunted knows the hunters’ game better than they do. Turning the tables, picking them off one-by-one, and ultimately coming face-to-face with its ringleader.
At first, the overall appeal throws you off as to who the main protagonist and antagonist is. It serves as a nice set up for not having an idea as to where it could go next. It moves at a rapid pace, the violence is brutal and cartoonish with its execution (but gratuitous for its purpose), and the gags are solid while riding along a creative path of twists. The overall narrative is sociopolitical commentary that does a rugged job at exposing how radically extreme and ridiculous things can spiral down to with people’s morals and idealistic mindset. The conclusion’s smart and will definitely trigger lots of reactions. Honestly, I believe it’s the entire point within its shock value metaphor upon Liberal vs. Conservative. I mean, considering the times… we’re kinda there already. Only this is fiction, right? Right?
THE HUNT’s ensemble cast is fun to watch as they’re knocked off. I mean, the title of the film is THE HUNT. So, yeah, there’s a lot of death that goes on. It’s interesting to see how the story presents them one-by-one, followed by stereotypical dialog representing political biases, and reasoning as to why they’re in the mess they’re in. From Orlando to Staten Island, the story casts a wide net for picking out prey. No spoilers of course, but its standouts are Crystal (played by Betty Gilpin) and Athena (played by Hilary Swank) due to some serious badass reasons. You’ll see why.
The last 10 minutes or so of the film are the most formulaic. The journey getting there made it a worthwhile watch. And it isn’t a long journey, because this film doesn’t give its audience any downtime. It starts off the same way it ends… INSANELY ENTERTAINNG! The film isn’t geared for everyone, but it’s film everyone should watch. it presents a little of everything we are and aren’t. It’s a Blumhouse production that once again has scraped the bottom of humanity’s barrel, gripped a handful of reality, and displays it for harsh emphasis on how we are definitely our own worst enemy due to fucked up ideology. Run, rabbit, run. THE HUNT is in full effect.
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Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller
Rated: R
Run Time: 1:45
Starring: Ike Barinholtz, Betty Gilpin, Emma Roberts, and Hilary Swank
Directed by: Craig Zobel
Official Movie Website: https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/the-hunt
