Hunter Hunter
Director: Shawn Linden
Writer: Shawn Linden
Cast: Camille Sullivan, Summer H. Howell, Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, Gabriel Daniels, Lauren Cochrane
Part of: SLASH Filmfestival
Seen on: 28.9.2021
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Plot:
Joseph (Devon Sawa), Anne (Camille Sullivan) and their daughter Renee (Summer H. Howell) live off the grid, in the middle of the forest, getting by as trappers, selling the furs of the animals they catch. When they realize that a wolf is in the area, they are highly alerted, though. Anne is worried for Renee in particular, as they believe it’s a rogue wolf who is likely to attack them and who, at the very least, is a danger to their already slim livelihood. So Joseph sets out to catch the wolf.

I have rarely watched a film that left me with such a strong urge to drink something like this movie. And I actually do mean that as a compliment. It’s depressing and tense and highly effective.

Hunter Hunter really had me at the edge of my seat, breathless and tense almost the entire way through. There are a few moments (especially with the rangers) that are also funny and warm, but above all, it’s a heavy film that knows how to build a threatening atmosphere and keep you on your toes – including a couple of plot developments that I didn’t see coming.

A huge part of why the film worked so well for me is that I really liked the characters. Joseph, Anne and Renee, but also the rangers Barthes (Gabriel Daniels) and Lucy (Lauren Cochrane) – they are all likeable, but definitely not flawless. And their decisions are all entirely understandable, even though they aren’t always the right ones. You can always see where they’re coming from and why they’d decide like that.

Still the overwhelming feeling the film left me with was one of despair, of a mostly bad world where things certainly don’t end up being alright. Where people are afraid of wolves, but the real threat is people. It’s a dark, depressing world we get served here. And I can understand if that isn’t to your taste – it usually isn’t to mine. But that doesn’t change the fact, though, that it is served incredibly well – and leaves a very lasting impression.

Summarizing: worth watching – if you steel yourself.