The whole "subverting expectations" thing has been really popular lately, but this movie figured out how to perfect it.
The Hunt came out shortly before all movie theaters were closed down, so many people did not have the opportunity to watch it in theaters, myself included. If you would have asked me about this film a week ago, I would have assumed it to be no real loss.
But that is not why I am writing about it today.
I think this movie is something we need in our current society. I'm not going to get too political here, at least not more then necessary, but the Trump era has caused a lot of this country to expose their divided views. The Hunt puts this directly in your face, and in the most obvious way.
Some movies, like The Purge series, tend to put liberalism in the hero's seat, while The Hunt takes liberal extremists and makes them the villains. The plot, which is easily found in the trailer, is pretty simple: Liberal elitists kidnap those deemed deplorable, then proceed to hunt them.
That's pretty straightforward, right? And somewhat familiar (see: The Most Dangerous Game, or even Zodiac). But, like any good film, the whole of the movie cannot be found in the mere minute and a half trailer. No, The Hunt has a deeper message than liberal villainy.
(SPOILERS)
Since we have already established the main premise of this film, it seems important to note that there are quite a few different themes and comments present in this story and I'm going to touch on as many as I can.
1. The idea that liberals are all hypocritical:
We see the main villains exhibit stereotypical liberal traits such as being aware of climate change and minority inclusiveness, but painted in such a way that makes it seem ridiculous. They talk about themselves as if they are better, yet they are literally killing people. You can't get much more ignorant than that.
Not only do the liberal characters consistently contradict themselves, but the reason for the plot is contradictory. As the story sets it up for you, it is believed these people are just taking part in a ritual hunting, and that this is the way it has been. That is established. Which is why it is a bit of a twist to realize this group of people has specifically started this hunt BECAUSE people think it exists. When this is addressed in the dialogue between Athena (Hilary Swank) and Crystal (Betty Gilpin), it is truly comical.
The thought that this group of people lost their jobs due to a leaked text about a fictional hunting manor, and then retaliated by actually doing it, is unbelievable. It is not only ridiculous, it is one of the most hypocritical parts about them.
2. The assumption the conservatives are all bad.
This movie thrives off of assumption. It assumes you will pick as side, and then proceeds to hold a mirror up to your face and say "do you see it?" referring to your innate social biases. It also relies on you assuming you know what this film is about before you start, like many whom refuse to watch it after the first trailer came out.
The concept that conservatives are the ones being hunted because they are misunderstood or even demonized for trivial things like having guns or living in a rural community is incorrect. While watching this movie you can easily see the film knows that also. It took me at least five solid minutes of watching this movie to realize this:
It is satire.
Side thought: Do you remember in Austin Powers when Will Ferrell was dropped into the fire doungon or whatever Dr. Evil had under his conference table, and he was seemingly burned alive, but then kept talking and even trying to carry on a conversation? The scene in The Hunt where the woman falls into the pit of swords (?) and the gets her legs blown off then CONTINUES talking, that's exactly when I thought of Austin Powers and then said to my husband "Oh, I get it. It's a joke."
So once you get that out of the way, it's easy to understand the take this film has on conservatives. They are not villain or victim, they're a character in society playing the same game as liberals.
3. The conclusion that each side has problems.
The trailer for this film caused quite a reaction from views and critics, since it paints a specific view of the story. In reality this story has no sides. It pokes fun at each side, for real and genuine issues each group has. No one leaves this film clean, it exposes the biases we have within ourselves, and reflects it back to us in a funhouse mirror.
This film explores the current division in this country while also telling you how stupid it believes it is. People hate each other based on labels and assumptions, but not on someones true character. This is why the main character, Crystal, makes such an impact.
Lets talk about the Crystal.
This outstanding performance by Betty Gelpin is the reason I think this film deserves the praise it does. She is charming and defiant, while also being cunning and articulate. The story introduces her as one of the deplorable types, already leading you to assume many things. The more you learn about her, surprisingly, the more she doesn't quite fit into the mold that society has ready.
It is this realization that leads to the whole understanding of the story. She doesn't care why she's being hunted and she doesn't care about the politics. She decides what she thinks is right, and continues along with herself as a guide, even when she finds out she is there by accident. This can be spoken to the larger audience that those without partisan loyalties can be seen as heroes, not matter what moral situation they are put in.
The story she tells about the tortoise and the hare is familiar, again, but ends in a way we don't expect; a sort of parable within the larger story. We do not immediately know it's significance, but it becomes clear later on that she is, in fact, the hare. Complete with eating Athena's grilled cheese at the end of their Bechdel test approved fight scene.
In the midst of social thrillers, The Hunt shows us who the true villains are. It's not the government or the so called "dark state." It is us. The people with biases and unwarranted hatred towards people we assume to know. This is not a film I will soon forget. 8/10
This film is currently available to rent on AmazonPrime. Photos courtesy of IMDB.
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