The HuntDirector: Craig ZobelWriter: Jason Blum and Damon LindelofStarring: Betty Gilpin, Hillary Swank, Ike Barinholtz, Ethan Suplee, Emma Roberts, Glenn Howerton, Amy Madigan and Sturgill Simpson.Opens: On video on demand. (The Hunt is one of a number of films that was to earn a wide theatrical release but, in the wake of the coronavirus shutting down most theaters, has been pushed as an on-demand release instead.)

In this current political climate and era of social media, the should-be simple-enough act of even just going online has become a risky endeavor.

No matter where you look, theres a friend sharing a meme about political correctness or an uncle forwarding you a story about how #pizzagate is still relevant.

It can be exhausting trying to decipher the real from the fake, let alone trying to simply exist through ones screen without engaging in a heated political conversations.

The Hunt takes this current political climate and tries to flip it on its head.

A group of people wake up in a clearing, gagged and with no explanation as to how they got there. Eventually, they begin to be picked off one-by-one by sniper shots, arrows and booby traps that have been set for them.

They dont know what brought them to this fate, or how to escape.

Turns out, all of the hunted here all have a common thread of political ideals. They seem to lean more on the conservative spectrum they use terms like snowflake, defend the second amendment at the drop of a dime and yell about crisis actors.

Soon enough, its revealed that they were brought into this situation by a group of elite liberals who are ultra-PC people who use the word deplorables unironically, and get onto each other if theyre too gender-minded when addressing one another by saying Hey, guys! instead of Hey, people!

The Hunt is a bloody mess.

But its also surprisingly fun and dripping with satire.

The film tries really hard to issue a new social commentary about the current political tribalism in our country. It doesnt completely sticks the landing.

The film lacks any nuanced characters, and none of the ones it has boast unclear motivations. Its pretty cut-and-dry where they all stand. So theres not really anyone to root for here.

Well, except for Crystal.

Crystal (Betty Gilpin) is a tough cookie who clearly has survival skills far beyond any of the other hunted with whom shed been lumped. Shes a veteran unconcerned about anything except her survival. Even as we figure out the political stances of the her peers, she remains a bit of an enigma. She doesnt share any real expression when others rant and rave about refugees or conspiracy theories.

She just wants out.

Her journey is nothing short of action-packed. The Hunt is super bloody, and creative in its death and action sequences.

Dont buy into the hype that this film is one-sided with its political leanings it isnt. Here, each side is equally awful.

Granted, audience members might feel more sympathy toward one side or the other. But the film does a decent job showing the depravity of both parties.

Though The Hunt wants to be a cutting-edge political satire about modern-day politics, it falls short of that goal.

Its a fun film with lots of blood, gore and funny moments, and Gilpin does an amazing job carrying the film. It wont disappoint viewers as they watch the film but, without the current circumstances driving some to see this film out of boredom, it wouldt quite stand as a memorable bit of cinema.

Grade: C+

Originally posted here:

[Review] The Hunt Aint As Smart As It Thinks It Is. - Central Track