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Critics Consensus: The Hunter occasionally suffers from predictability, but Willem Dafoe gives a terrific performance as an obsessive hunter on the trail of a mysterious beast.
Critic Consensus: The Hunter occasionally suffers from predictability, but Willem Dafoe gives a terrific performance as an obsessive hunter on the trail of a mysterious beast.
All Critics (90) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (25)
Its mostly observant temper keeps us from being greatly moved, but it holds us with its acute, almost laboratory dissection of its people's beings.
A movie with more plot than it can comfortably handle.
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.
Not much happens in "The Hunter." And what little does happen, happens very slowly. And then is repeated.
The character arc is strong on paper but not well-realized on film, and therein lies The Hunter's greatest failing.
By the time The Hunter jettisons its narrative ballast altogether and embraces its elemental appeal, it's too late.
This might not be the typical hitman movie -- there's a dose of environmental politics thrown in -- but its tropes are stock. What sets it apart, of course, is Dafoe.
The Hunter is a powerful evocation of an oppressive state, of a people who are as likely to suffer at the hands of their fellow countrymen than from any outside force. A superb political drama.
Charts no new territory, but Dafoe, the Tasmanian wilderness, and the elusive tiger keep your interest.
Nettheim's inaugural outing is no generic thriller (despite its promotion), but instead a thoughtful exploration of masculinity.
Pitts's striking visual control ensures that the divide between institutionalized injustice and personal revenge remains volatile, thorny terrain.
It's a character study, for the most part, allowing the complications and relationships to puncture the narrative only when they have finally penetrated the man.
A slow, albeit fascinating and beautifully filmed movie for almost 90 minutes. Unfortunately, the solution in the last 15 minutes is so devastatingly saddening (without making much sense), that it's hard to say you enjoyed what you've been watching or feel like revisiting again. Which is sad because the story, chemistry between the characters and the landscape as an alien surrounding works great for the longest time. Especially Dafoe is outstanding as always. Man, if only this ended differently. It pains me to think about it.
Super Reviewer
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An intriguing, though somewhat underdeveloped story of a mercenary hunter (Willem Dafoe) tasked with the mission of finding and killing the last remaining Tasmanian devil in the wilderness of Australia. He also becomes involved with the family he is staying with, whose father has gone missing. There are a lot of interesting elements here, and the ending in particular is powerful and moving, but ultimately this movie is a frustrating concoction of family drama mixed with man vs. nature. The scenes with Dafoe out in the wilderness are fantastic, while his moments with the family seem like a slight distraction from the main meat of the story. Dafoe, as always, is phenomenal and does a lot with his very thinly detailed character, and the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking. In the end though, it just feels slightly underdone, which is a shame because there is a lot of great material here.
Interesting dramatic thriller, The Hunter Starring Willem Dafoe on a search for the last Tasmanian tiger, a species that went extinct in 1936. This is a well acted film, one that boasts an engaging story, and effective direction to keep you involved. I love Dafoe's work, and he gives a terrific performance here. With that being said, The Hunter at times is a bit slow, but it does keep you involved because of its premise. I enjoyed the film for the sheer story alone, and I am familiar with the Tasmanian Tiger or Thylacine and a film based on trying to find the last one is interesting, even if its fiction, it's still a worthy and interesting idea for a film. If you enjoy Dafoe's films, you might enjoy this one as well. It may not be for everyone, but there are plenty of good elements here to make for a truly thriller adventure film that is sure to entertain anyone who enjoys these types of films. What makes this such a thrilling experience to watch is that director Daniel Nettheim uses dark atmosphere to tell this story, add to that the subtle dramatic elements and you have a well crafted picture that has some great performances provided by two accomplished actors. I enjoy films like these because it really jogs your imagination, and keeps you guessing right up until the end. The film is never boring, and everything presented on-screen works well because of a well written script and a truly interesting idea. Add to that a riveting, memorable performance by Dafoe, which is one of his finest in many years and you have a thriller that is gripping from the first frame right up to the climax.
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