The Hunt

Twelve strangers wake up in a wooded clearing with no idea how they got there or why they're together. They soon figure out they're the prey in a ruthless game staged by wealthy hunters who see them as expendable entertainment. As the killers pick them off, one of the captives, Crystal, starts to fight back, using cunning and strength to turn the situation against her pursuers. What begins as a survival plot becomes a tense, violent confrontation that flips the power dynamic and forces everyone involved to reveal who they really are.

The film was directed by Craig Zobel, from an original screenplay by Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse. It stars Betty Gilpin as Crystal, with Hilary Swank and Ike Barinholtz among the principal cast.

The Hunt didn't win major industry awards, and it wasn't a presence in Oscar or Golden Globe competitions. Performances, especially Gilpin's, earned attention in reviews and conversations, but the movie didn't translate that into notable prize recognition.

Its release stirred public discussion, since the movie's satire of elites and political polarization arrived during a tense cultural moment. A delayed release and the surrounding controversy amplified talk about media responsibility, satire, and how entertainment intersects with real world violence and politics, keeping the film in headlines beyond its runtime.

Critics and audiences gave mixed to generally positive feedback, reflected in user ratings around the mid sixes out of ten. Reviewers noted the movie mixes sharp social commentary with fast paced action and horror elements, and the tone swings between dark satire and straight thriller. At its best it provokes uncomfortable questions about class, manipulation, and spectacle, while also delivering bloody set pieces and a forceful central performance.