The Hunt wasn't worth anyone's outrage

Turns out the film really doesn't have a strong point of view at all

The Hunt.
(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube)

Seven months after igniting a firestorm and having its initial release scrapped, The Hunt is finally arriving in theaters this weekend. But audiences may end up wishing it had just stayed on the shelf.

A horror-comedy in which humans are hunted for sport, Craig Zobel's The Hunt generated quite a stir last summer. After advertising for it was pulled in the wake of two deadly mass shootings, reports emerged that the film's plot specifically involved liberal elites hunting red-state "deplorables." The outrage was fierce, with Fox News commentators railing against the film while painting it as a celebration of the killing of President Trump's supporters, and Trump even tweeted that the movie was "made in order to inflame and cause chaos." Universal canceled the planned September release, only to suddenly announce last month that it would hit theaters after all.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.