Controversial 'The Hunt' Finally Has A Release Date And A New Trailer

In the light of Joker's recent awards success despite initial concerns it may incite violence (it didn't), the controversy surrounding The Hunt has been ludicrous. You may recall, the film became a target last year for its plot about a group of elites who hunt down ordinary people for sport. A mass shooting, an incendiary tweet from the orange dude in the White House, and concerns the story was about killing right-wing "deplorables" led Universal to pull the action flick's September 2019 release entirely. I think we all knew it would see the light of day eventually, and now we know when.

Universal has dropped a brand new trailer and poster for The Hunt, revealing that it will hit theaters on March 13th. Directed by Craig Zobel from a story by Watchmen creator Damon Lindelof, the movie stars Betty Gilpin, Emma Roberts, Hilary Swank, Glen Howerton, Amy Madigan, Justin Hartley, Ethan Suplee, Macon Blair, and Ike Barinholtz.

Just looking at this trailer it's clear what's changed. While I don't believe any alterations were made to the movie itself, the marketing gimmick has definitely shifted, giving the movie a more satirical vibe than what we saw before. Will that stop the wackos from pretending to be offended? From playing the victim? Of course not, but I'm just happy the movie is finally being made available so the rest of us can decide for ourselves.

SYNOPSIS: The most talked about movie of the year is the one nobody has seen … yet.

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen… for a very specific purpose … The Hunt.

In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, a group of elites gathers for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt ordinary Americans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of The Hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin, GLOW), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off, one by one, as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (two-time Oscar® winner Hilary Swank) at the center of it all.

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'The Hunt' Director Speaks Out On The Controversial Film's Cancelation

For a movie that has been canceled and may never come out, everybody has something to say about The Hunt. Well, it's time to hear from somebody who actually has something to do with the controversial film. Director Craig Zobel has broken his silence to Variety about his movie, which follows a group of strangers, supposedly conservatives referred to as "deplorables", who are hunted by rich liberals for sport. And unsurprisingly, Zobel's aims weren't to divide people or foment violence as some may have you think....

“If I believed this film could incite violence, I wouldn’t have made it, ", Zobel said. He continued,  “Our ambition was to poke at both sides of the aisle equally. We seek to entertain and unify, not enrage and divide. It is up to the viewers to decide what their takeaway will be.”

Universal made the decision to cancel The Hunt following the domestic terror attack in El Paso and mass shooting in Dayton, which Trump and others in the right-wing attributed to Hollywood values. When word about The Hunt's premise got out, that only took their outrage to another level. Ironically, the finger-pointing that it caused on both sides of the political divide is exactly an issue Zobel wanted to address with the movie...

“I wanted to make a fun, action thriller that satirized this moment in our culture — where we jump to assume we know someone’s beliefs because of which ‘team’ we think they’re on… and then start shouting at them. This rush to judgment is one of the most relevant problems of our time."

“I was devastated by going to sleep to El Paso and waking up to Dayton. These types of moments happen far too often. In the wake of these horrific events, we immediately considered what it meant for the timing of our film. Once inaccurate assumptions about the content and intent of the movie began to take hold, I supported the decision to move the film off its release date.”

That might've been a decision those eagerly awaiting the film could support. We all understand how real-world issues can impact a movie's release, it's just the way things go. But the perception is that Universal caved under pressure that has them scrambling to defend themselves and refute some of the rumors out there.

For instance, Universal is now saying the movie's inflammatory working title, Red State vs. Blue State, "was never the working title for the film at any point throughout the development process, nor appeared on any status reports under that name", and there were never plans to cancel it for this reason. Universal also shoots down claims of poor audience test screenings in which audiences were uncomfortable with the movie's politics. 

At this point, who knows what the future holds for The Hunt. I highly doubt Universal will give it any kind of release, especially with the charged political climate only getting worse. But I continue to hope they shop it around to other distributors who may want to capitalize on this moment when the film is so hot and people will pay to see it. Remember, this is a Blumhouse film and it will only take so much for it to earn a profit. 

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Death Threats Reportedly Factored Into Universal's Decision To Cancel 'The Hunt'

When The Hunt is finally released, whether it be into theaters or digital, it may be that the events surrounding it are more interesting than the movie. A new factor into Universal's decision to cancel the controversial thriller, which they want us to believe was always their plan, is the dangerous climate surrounding it once word got out over the premise.

New details from THR point to early test screenings of The Hunt, which was originally titled Red State vs. Blue State, and the uncomfortable reaction from audiences that gave Universal its first whiff of  concern. The decision was made to tone down the political references in the marketing strategy, especially following two mass shootings in which one of the killers expressed anti-immigrant sentiments.

However, the studio began receiving death threats once it became known what the movie was about, which is a group of strangers, described as "deplorables", hunted down by rich, elite liberals for sport. The authorities never got involved in the situation, but right-wing mouthpieces sure did, as did Donald Trump with around-the-clock commentary on TV news and social media. Universal then made the decision to scrap the release altogether, although top execs were reluctant to do so and be seen as caving in to pressure. It was the mass shootings that changed their minds.

Apparently, other studios had seen the project as a potential hot zone and refused to pick it up. Even some within Universal had reservations. However, there are reportedly many international outlets eager to acquire and release the movie, so that may be a route Universal and Blumhouse go in.

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Universal Wants Us To Believe They Were Always Planning To Cancel 'The Hunt'

It never really mattered when The Hunt would've been released, its premise was always going to cause a stir. The film, which boasts the talents of co-writer Damon Lindelof, director Craig Zobel, and stars Emma Roberts, Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, and more, centered on a group of strangers, regular people, who are hunted for sport by rich elites. That they appear to be conservatives, or "deplorables", targeted by liberals guaranteed an uproar, and Universal pulled marketing in the wake of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. The studio's decision to cancel the film caused a backlash since it came after fiery rhetoric from GOP talking heads and Trump himself.  

However, sources speaking with IndieWire claim that Universal had made the decision to cancel The Hunt before Trump started stirring the pot. *cough*bullshit*cough*

Following the shootings, Universal felt it wasn't the right time to be promoting a film where shooting large amounts of people was central to the plot and a key part of marketing. They were on the verge of shelving it for the time being, but before the decision could be made, Trump and his followers started politizing the issue, singling out The Hunt as proof of Hollywood's bias towards conservatives and responsibility for gun violence.  All appearances to the contrary, Universal wasn't bowing down to political pressure. They were just trying to do the right thing.

Yeah, okay. If it isn't obvious, I don't believe this for a second. Universal is setting an ugly precedent here. If studios start canceling movies because of a bunch of angry Internet trolls, and let's be real, the President is the ultimate Internet troll, then what's to stop them from faking outrage at every movie they don't like? Universal doesn't want the reputation of being weak, so they leak this story to try and change the narrative.

If Universal was really trying to do what's right, they would let Blumhouse take the movie elsewhere or release it digitally. Because Blumhouse keeps their budgets tight, they might actually be able to break even or make some money through a home release. I would definitely pay for it and probably many others would, too, as a show of support and a blow against this attempted silence. 

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'The Hunt' Release Canceled By Universal In Response Recent Mass Shootings

One of the most anticipated movies of the fall, Universal and Blumhouse's thriller The Hunt, has been canceled in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. Universal issued a statement confirming the news...

“While Universal Pictures had already paused the marketing campaign for The Hunt, after thoughtful consideration, the studio has decided to cancel our plans to release the film. We stand by our filmmakers and will continue to distribute films in partnership with bold and visionary creators, like those associated with this satirical social thriller, but we understand that now is not the right time to release this film.”

This is hardly a shock. The Hunt, which was directed by Craig Zobel, co-written by Damon Lindelof,  and stars Betty Gilpin, Emma Roberts, Hilary Swank, and more, was to be released on September 27th.  It follows a group of twelve strangers who awaken to find themselves prey in a lethal game devised by rich elites. A trailer for the film was recently released and shows a dark but sardonic sense of humor.

However, in recent days we've seen Trump and others in the Republican Party quickly form a narrative blaming video games, Hollywood, whatever they need in order to deflect attention away from guns. Some retail outlets such as Wal-Mart went so far as to pull any violent imagery from their shelves, even as sales on guns continued.  There's even a claim, completely unfounded by anything we've seen, that The Hunt is specifically targeting Trump supporters. So at this moment, we're seeing the impact of Trump's rhetoric on one of the biggest movie studios in the world. Universal went so far as to yank their official versions of the trailer. Fortunately, they exist elsewhere. For now.

The question is, what happens to The Hunt now? Will Universal allow Blumhouse to take the movie elsewhere? Because people really do want to see it, and I hope all of this nonsense causes it to be an even bigger hit. History hasn't been kind to movies in this kind of situation, though. 

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'The Hunt' Trailer: Betty Gilpin Is No Easy Prey In Blumhouse's Wild New Thriller

When the teaser for Blumhouse's thriller The Hunt dropped a couple weeks ago, looking like some kind of TV commercial, I was kinda surprised. It was nothing like the full trailer I had seen ahead of Crawl just days earlier, which had me wanting to see more of Betty Gilpin's kick-ass character in the irreverent film. Well, that trailer is finally out and you can see why the GLOW star might be the breakout when all is said and done.

The hunt has some impressive talent on both sides of the camera, beginning with Lost and The Leftovers creator Damon Lindelof, who co-wrote the script with Nick Cuse. Directing is Craig Zobel, who was behind such impressive films as Compliance and Z for Zachariah. They've come up with a film that seems familiar on the surface, with a bunch of strangers being hunted for sport by a cabal of rich assholes. But one look at the trailer and you can see they're aiming to do something more with the concept, which we shouldn't be surprised by given that it comes from Blumhouse.

Joining Gilpin in the cast are Hilary Swank, Ike Barinholtz, Emma Roberts, Justin Hartley, Glenn Howerton, and Amy Madigan.

The Hunt hits theaters on September 27th.

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'The Hunt' Teaser: Humans Are Prey In Blumhouse's New Thriller From Damon Lindelof And Craig Zobel

When I went to see Crawl last week (because they didn't screen it for us, dammit), one of the trailers preceding it was for The Hunt. I admit to having completely forgotten this movie was happening, but was quickly snapped out of my stupor by one of the most enjoyable teases I've seen in a while. That it comes from the team of Blumhouse, Damon Lindelof, and director Craig Zobel ensures I won't be forgetting about it again, and neither should you.

A new teaser, different from the one I saw, has been released and it presents itself as a commercial for society's upper crust, which in a way it is. Consider it an ad for a high-end hunting trip in which the prey are human beings.

Sure, we've seen this concept before, but look at the talent involved. This is the latest social thriller from Blumhouse, producers on Get Out and The Purge; Lindelof is the renowned Lost creator who recently wrapped up The Leftovers and is about to embark on HBO's Watchmen; and Zobel is the acclaimed director behind Z for Zachariah and Compliance. The cast is led by GLOW and Stuber actress Betty Gilpin in what looks to be a firebrand performance; she's joined by Oscar winner Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts (American Horror Story), Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Justin Hartley (This is Us), Ike Barinholtz (Blockers), and Oscar-nominated actress Amy Madigan (Twice in a Lifetime).

Here's the synopsis: Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen… for a very specific purpose … The Hunt.

In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, a group of globalist elites gathers for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt humans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of the hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin, GLOW), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off, one by one, as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (two-time Oscar® winner Hilary Swank) at the center of it all.

The Hunt hits theaters on September 27th. I can't wait.

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Al Pacino To Stalk Nazis In Jordan Peele's 'The Hunt' Amazon Series

Al Pacino and Jordan Peele is not a combination I ever thought we'd see, especially on the small screen, but it's happening and we should all probably take notice. The screen legend is set to join Logan Lerman in Nazi hunting drama series, The Hunt, which Peele will exec-produce for Amazon.

Created by David Weil, the 10-episode first season centers on  "a diverse band of Nazi Hunters living in 1977 New York City. The Hunters, as they’re known, have discovered that hundreds of high ranking Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S. The eclectic team of Hunters will set out on a bloody quest to bring the Nazis to justice and thwart their new genocidal plans.” Lerman plays Jonah Heidelbaum, a young man who sets out to find the intruder who murdered his grandmother, discovering mysterious organization known as The Hunt. in the process. Pacino will play the Nazi hunter who takes Jonah under his wing.

Like his fellow screen legend Robert De Niro, Pacino has had a few lean years but he seems to be on the upswing. Not only will he be seen in Martin Scorsese's The Irishman, but there's a role for him in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

The Hunt is still coming together so we probably won't see it until 2020 at the earliest.

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Damon Lindelof And Craig Zobel Team With Blumhouse For 'The Hunt'

Three years have passed since Craig Zobel gave us his underrated post-apocalyptic drama, Z for Zachariah, a followup to his excellent debut feature, Compliance, still one of the most chilling movies I've ever seen. Since then he's done a couple of episodes of American Gods and The Leftovers, but remained under the radar for the most part. But now he's come roaring back on a new project that will pair him up with Lost writer Damon Lindelof and the tastemakers at Blumhouse.

Zobel will direct action-thriller The Hunt, which Lindelof will co-write with Nick Cuse. Blumhouse will produce, coming off a Hell of a 2017 that included Get Out, Happy Death Day, and Split.  Lindelof and Cuse collaborated on HBO's The Leftovers, making this a sortof reunion with Zobel.

Universal, who scored the rights from some fierce competition, have decided to keep the plot under wraps for now. Probably a good idea as Blumhouse will want to do what they do best, which is tease the audience and make their film an event to attend.

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10 Great Overlooked Films from 2013

It's not possible for every movie to receive the same amount of attention. There are literally hundreds of movies that came out every single year, and out of those maybe two or three will end up in your local multiplex. The rest will unspool at the art house or possibly On Demand, and really it's never been easier to get your hands on high-quality films at all times. But even with movie lovers having greater access than ever, there are still plenty of movies that slip beneath the cracks. So to kick off my end-of-the-year round up, I've selected ten of the movies that I absolutely loved that didn't have a lot of buzz....or didn't make a scratch at the box office....or were just severely under-appreciated. Two of these, Blue Caprice and Crystal Fairy, I caught at Sundance and my reviews suggest that I had some extremely high hopes for them. Just goes to show my radar is on the fritz more often than not. These are in no particular order, by the way.

Computer Chess
Director: Andrew Bujalski

There have been a lot of great movies about chess. There have been a lot of great movies about nerds. What do you get when they're put together? You get Andrew Bujalski's retro, offbeat charmer, Computer Chess. Shot in black and white and extremely grainy analog video, the film is set 30 years ago as tech geeks gather for to test out the next wave of computer chess software in a weekend tournament. Technological paranoia and social awkwardness make for a hilarious and offbeat mix as Bujalski methodically pulls back the layers of his quirky cast of characters with his trademark naturalistic dialogue honed through years in the "mumblecore" movement. There couldn't be a less commercial film than Computer Chess but it's well worth the effort to seek out.
+1
Director: Dennis Illiadis
Cast: Rhys Wakefield, Ashley Hinshaw, Logan Miller

Part Invasion of the Body Snatchers, part Can't Hardly Wait, Dennis Illiadis' +1 pretty much had me at 'Hello'. Basically one big "end of the year" bash gets sent to The Twilight Zone when clones of the partygoers start showing up, and since we're talking about a room full of drunken, drug-fueled, hormonal teens all their poor decisions have a chance of being repeated again and again until their world collapses in on itself or something. Yeah, the actual sci-fi stuff is a little messy but no other film has a girl making out with her own clone, or a dude watching himself have sex. Hope he took notes.

At Any Price
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron,  Clancy Brown, Heather Graham, Maika Monroe

It's understandable that audiences didn't turn out for Ramin Bahrani's heartland drama At Any Price; his movies weren't made for the multiplex experience. But critics....really? Where are you? Especially now during awards season there should be some heat behind this powerful melodrama, which explores the idea of the American Dream in today's corporate society. Dennis Quaid has never been better (and I mean that, like ever) as a struggling farmer forced into some dirty tactics just to compete with his rivals. Although it's a low bar, Zac Efron gives the finest performances of his career as Quaid's racer car-driving son, who has no plans of ever joining the family trade. Issues of family loyalty, professional obsession, and the corporatization of America collide in this intimate, old fashioned film. There's a reason why Roger Ebert called Bahrani "the director of the decade", and At Any Price is a perfect example of his gifts.

Crystal Fairy
Director: Sebastian Silva
Cast: Michael Cera, Gaby Hoffman

I typically turn up my nose at drug comedies. They've just never done much for me and as someone who has never so much as lit a cigarette, I always feel like I'm missing out on the joke. But Crystal Fairy isn't your typical drug comedy by a long stretch. Michael Cera plays a boorish, drug-addled American on a frenzied quest through Chile to partake of the San Pedro Cactus' hallucinogenic qualities.  While it's fun to watch Cera play a character that is a bit rougher around the edges, Gaby Hoffman steals the show as the titular eccentric hippie weirdo accompanying him. With her bizarre outfits, hairy armpits, and apparently foul body odor, it's the sort of character that easily could have fallen into cliché. But Hoffman never lets it get that far, and Crystal Fairy becomes an honest, empathetic story about being true to one's self.

A Hijacking
Director: Tobias Lindholm
Cast: Pilou Asbaek,  Søren Malling

My colleagues probably got tired of hearing me say that Tobias Lindholm's Danish thriller A Hijacking was better than Captain Phillips but I've yet to find someone who disagrees. While it lacks the true-life aspect of Paul Greengrass' film, A Hijacking more than makes up for it with an engrossing, in your face style that straps you in right alongside the victims of a sudden Somali pirate attack. You’ll have a hard time convincing me Tom Hank's anguished-but-calculated performance compares to Pilou Asbaek's quiet desperation. Branching out beyond the ship to the real world impacts, we see the effect the kidnapping has on the crews' family, and what happens when the hostages' freedom is negotiated by the company CEO. Suffice it to say, you don't want your boss thinking about stock prices when lives are at stake.

Gimme the Loot
Director: Adam Leon
Cast: Tashiana Washington, Ty Hickson

You hear about the plot of Adam Leon's SXSW hit Gimme the Loot and it's hard not to worry: Two African-American graffiti artists cook up a plan to bomb (spray paint for you lay people) that stupid Mets apple in Citifield. Hollywood would do unspeakable things to a plot like this; fill it with racially insulting stereotypes of urban youth and refashion it into some sort of manic heist film.  Fortunately, Leon's film rattles to the beat of its own spray can with a defiant, anti-mainstream spirit that channels the old school hip-hop movement. With an eye towards the early street-level works of Spike Lee, the film is led by Ty Hickson as brash Malcolm, who wears his braggadocio like a badge of honor; and Tashiana Washington as his best friend Sofia, a whip smart tomboy just beginning to flower into a beautiful young lady, although she'd never admit it. Endearing, optimistic, and totally free of pretension, Gimme the Loot should be the model and not such a rare find.

Drinking Buddies
Director: Joe Swanberg
Cast: Jake Johnson, Olivia Wilde, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston, Jason Sudeikis

If you're one of those who follows my Pinterest board (thanks to those who do!), then you might notice that Joe Swanberg's Drinking Buddies was one of the most recent movies I saw. The truth is I've not been very interested in it, largely because so many of my colleagues have sung its praises for so long. Sorry, that's just how I'm wired. But finally catching up with it I discovered that not only is Drinking Buddies hysterical and chock-a-block with unexpectedly terrific performances, but it may be the smartest relationship movie of the year. New Girl star Jake Johnson and the ubiquitous Olivia Wilde are best friends working at a local brewery, and there's rarely a scene when a beer isn't in somebody's hand. There's an obvious romantic attraction but both are involved with others who may or may not be a better fit. It's a film that explores whether men and women can just be friends without the pull of sexual entanglement, and if not can they at least be good drinking buddies?

The Hunt
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen,  Annika Wedderkopp, Alexandra Rappaport, Thomas Larsen

One thing you won't find a lot of in a Thomas Vinterberg film? Laughs. His latest harrowing personal drama The Hunt returns to the familiar theme of sexual abuse, explored in his breakthrough film The Celebration fifteen years ago. Teaming with co-writer Tobias Lindholm, who appeared on this list earlier for A Hijacking (these guys just don't do funny), the film features a Cannes Best Actor-winning performance by Mads Mikkelsen as a small town teacher falsely accused of molestation by a young student. The firestorm that sweeps the village engulfs his personal and professional life, while internally he's reeling with the incredulity that his claims of innocence are falling on deaf ears. It's a harrowing, surgical look at how only a few small words can reduce a person's life to ashes.

Blue Caprice
Director: Alexandre Moors
Cast: Isaiah Washington, Tequan Richmond, Tim Blake Nelson, Joey Lauren Adams

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Blue Caprice didn't play anywhere outside of the Nation's Capital. Heck, it barely played here and frankly I don't blame theaters for not wanting to run with it. The impressive directorial debut by Alexandre Moors dares explore the twisted logic of the DC sniper John Allen Muhammad, played with remarkable intensity by Isaiah Washington, who frankly should be in the Best Actor race right now. This isn't just another blow-for-blow depiction of the three week ordeal that paralyzed DC eleven years ago, but a terrifying look inside the mind of a monster.  In fact, the killings themselves soon fade into the background, which only makes Muhammad's twisted philosophy, one he spreads to the mind of a young Lee Boyd Malvo (Tequan Richmond), all the more disturbing. It's a delicate balancing act trying to figure out Muhammad without sympathizing, but Moors pulls it off effortlessly.

In a World...
Director: Lake Bell
Cast: Lake Bell, Demitri Martin, Fred Melamed, Michaela Watkins, Nick Offerman, Ken Marino

My good friend, voice actor, and WETA Around Town colleague Robert Aubrey Davis will probably faint with joy that Lake Bell's In a World....has made my list of great overlooked movies.  Bell, who has always been a talented lady in front of the camera, does literally everything to make this film about the sexist world of trailer voice-over actors shine. As director, producer, writer, and perky lead she delivers a charming and insightful comedy about a career path none of us having given a lot of thought to. In a way it's like a cousin to those terrific Christopher Guest movies like Best in Show, only a whole lot funnier if you ask me. She gets a lot of help from a hilarious ensemble of comedic heavyweights such as Fred Melamed, Dmitri Martin, Ken Marino, Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry, Demetri Martin, Tig Notaro, and Nick Offerman (with a couple of sweet cameos best left unspoiled), but it's Bell whose voice is loudest and most welcome. Hopefully we'll be hearing a lot more of it.

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Interview: Thomas Vinterberg Talks 'The Hunt'

When Thomas Vinterberg emerged on the scene with 1998's The Celebration, a searing tale of a family rocked by child abuse allegations, it not only won him the Palm d'Or, but helped spark the minimalist cinematic movement known as Dogme 95. In the years since, Vinterberg has stayed under the radar while continuing to helm challenging films. With The Hunt, he comes surging back into the public eye with another film utilizing child abuse as the central theme. Mads Mikkelsen took home the Best Actor award at Cannes for his performance as Lucas, a kindertarten teacher who sees his life in a small Danish town ruined when he's accused of sexual misconduct with a child.

I had a chance to talk with Vinterberg about The Hunt, the film's similarity to The Conversation, and the Dogme 95 movement. Check out that interview below, and then take in my review of The Hunt here.

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Review: Thomas Vinterberg's 'The Hunt' Starring Mads Mikkelsen

Without dispute, the most vicious of all crimes, even more so than murder, has to be child molestation. It's a crime that, unlike the killing of another, leaves the victim forever scarred while at the same time devastating families and in some cases placing entire towns under an ugly veil of suspicion. Danish director Thomas Vinterberg has explored the subject to great acclaim in his breakout feature, The Celebration, a film so precise it sparked the whole Dogme 95 movement. But unlike his Dogme colleague, Lars von Trier, Vinterberg has struggled to match his early potential with subsequent films. With the frighteningly real and deeply unsettling The Hunt, Vinterberg again tackles the social breakdown that occurs in the wake of abuse charges, and in the process proves himself a filmmaker of the highest echelon.

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