When I sat down and hit the play button to watch writer-director Shawn Linden’s Hunter Hunter I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a great, truly dark film about family and desperation.
The film centers on a couple, Joseph (Devon Sawa) and Anne (Camille Sullivan), and their daughter Reneè (Summer H. Howell) living off the grid in the remote wilderness. They make their money by trapping so when a wolf begins to steal the animals in their traps they set out to hunt it down. When they stumble across the wolf eating an arm they realize there is another killer (Nick Stahl) lurking in their own backyard.
First off, let me give a warning to animal lovers, Hunter Hunter is going to be a bit hard for you to watch. Just cover your eyes when you have to though because the movie is worth it.
Hunter Hunter is a dark, tension-filled, gripping tale and at some points is genuinely heartbreaking. Shawn Linden has created something unique that forces you to experience a wide range of emotions and leaves you wondering if you could survive the life that this family leads.
Let’s talk about the cast. Honestly, when I think of Devon Sawa, I think of his more comedic roles, such as in Idle Hands. I wasn’t sure that he could really pull off such a serious role like Joseph in Hunter Hunter, but I was pleasantly surprised. Sawa really captures his character’s toughness. Joseph is a hard man that keeps a tight grip on his family. Needless to say, I was impressed. When it comes to Camille Sullivan’s performance as Anne, she absolutely nailed it. The way she emoted all of this poor woman’s fear, horror, and determination was spot on and she really made Anne feel authentic. As for young actress Howell, she clearly has a bright future in acting ahead of her. She poured her heart into her role as Reneé and it shows.
Hunter Hunter is brutal in all the right ways. It’s not all blood and gore just to be blood and gore, this movie has a real story. And the way that the effects were used sparingly made things feel more realistic, so when they were used, they had so much impact.
The film has everything a great thriller should have, struggle, tension, and a host of emotions. It’s unique and gripping. And the ending, well it’s a doozy. I never saw it coming which is a rare thing these days.
A combination of the horror, thriller, serial killer, and creature feature genres, Hunter Hunter has something for everyone. It opens in select theaters and arrives on Digital and On Demand on December 18, 2020, from IFC Midnight. Be sure to check it out! It’s got our seal of approval.
