The Hunter Reviews

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise, in the form of an elegant genre-hopper coming on like Werner Herzog meets Michael Crighton.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

Quietly gripping, atmospheric and beautifully shot drama with a terrific central performance from Willem Dafoe, an effectively sparse script and some stunning location work.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

A slow-burning, beautifully shot, understated philosophical thriller.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

The domestic and conspiracy elements are so perfunctory you sense the film, like its hero, can't wait to bugger off into the bush and forget about them altogether.

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It's certainly enjoyable to watch the beanie-hatted, craggy-faced Dafoe set animal traps with his bare hands.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Predictable, a pastiche of conventions, but strange nonetheless, and not always in a good way.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

A movie with more plot than it can comfortably handle.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

I know what they were going for. This was more about the spiritual journey than the actual action plot, but it just doesn't gel.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

It's all intended to be darkly metaphorical. In actuality, it's a mediocre film unfolding without plan, purpose or enthusiasm.

Full Review | Original Score: 0.5/4

Think of it as a popcorn movie topped with Vegemite.

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It has intriguing parts but they do not come together.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

With a rucksack of gadgets, Dafoe makes a believably cunning tracker, and when he finally confronts his prey, the mutual respect feeds a poignant parable.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

Long time Aussie TV director Daniel Nettheim does a yeoman's job with his cast and adapted screenplay

Full Review | Original Score: B-

While the film threatens to fall into cliché, excellent cinematography and another mesmerizing performance by Willem Dafoe keep it engaging enough to the point that it develops a fascinating rhythm of its own.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.0/5.0

...springs back from its narrative deficiencies with closure both in the wilderness and civilization, crossing both against the film's general themes about human progress vs. the natural world.

Full Review | Original Score: B-

Where the title character travels is a visually and emotionally striking journey.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Not much happens in "The Hunter." And what little does happen, happens very slowly. And then is repeated.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

The character arc is strong on paper but not well-realized on film, and therein lies The Hunter's greatest failing.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

By the time The Hunter jettisons its narrative ballast altogether and embraces its elemental appeal, it's too late.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

The film is really Dafoe's show, and he reminds once again why he is such a tremendous actor and also one so easy to underestimate and take for granted.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5