The Hunter

Name: The Hunter
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Released: April 6, 2012
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Jacek Koman, Morgana Davies, Sam Neill, Willem Dafoe

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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The Hunter

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: April 6, 2012 | R

Starring: Jacek Koman, Morgana Davies, Sam Neill, Willem Dafoe

Summary: The Hunter is the story of Martin, a skilled and ruthless mercenary sent into the Tasmanian wilderness on a hunt for a tiger believed to be extinct. Hired by an anonymous company that wants the tiger's genetic material, Martin arrives in Tasmania posing as a scientist. He proceeds to set up base camp at a broken-down farmhouse, where heThe Hunter is the story of Martin, a skilled and ruthless mercenary sent into the Tasmanian wilderness on a hunt for a tiger believed to be extinct. Hired by an anonymous company that wants the tiger's genetic material, Martin arrives in Tasmania posing as a scientist. He proceeds to set up base camp at a broken-down farmhouse, where he stays with a family whose father has gone missing. Usually a loner, Martin becomes increasingly close to the family; however, as his attachment to the family grows, Martin is led down a path of unforeseen dangers, complicating his deadly mission. [Magnolia Pictures]… Expand

Director: Daniel Nettheim

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden

Apr 5, 2012

The Hunter never declares who is good or bad or right or wrong. And the implications of Martin's decision when the moment of truth finally arrives are left for the viewer to unravel. Read full review

Joe Williams

Apr 27, 2012

To keep serious cinema from going extinct, this could be sold as "The Hunger Games" cross-bred with "The Lorax," but it's better and more mature than either of those hit movies. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Apr 6, 2012

Dafoe proves to have the right blend of ruggedness and sensitivity for this conflicted hero. The actor's habit of maintaining a lavishly styled coiffure in all situations, even when his character is meant to be sleeping in the rain for days on end, is becoming distracting, though. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Apr 12, 2012

At the core of the movie is the message that the real lonely hunter is the heart. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Apr 14, 2012

The Hunter works best as a travelogue and a thought-piece about the ugly, shadowy side of resurrecting dead species. Read full review

Adam Nayman

Apr 12, 2012

By the time The Hunter jettisons its narrative ballast altogether and embraces its elemental appeal, it's too late. The near-mythic grandeur of its final scenes is less a welcome payoff then a suggestion of the truly striking film that might have been; it's ironic that a movie about a man who sets traps for a living would itself end up ensnared by formula. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Apr 5, 2012

The idea of Willem Dafoe, one of our most watchable actors, playing a man stalking a thought-to-be-extinct animal in the wild is gripping in theory. In execution, however, The Hunter loses its way. Read full review

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User Reviews

StevenF

Feb 17, 2013

It's rare to to watch a film that reaches into the soul of the viewer to nip and prod at the insecurities and emotional journeys that have been taken, but The Hunter, through a metaphorical sight, does exactly that.
Willem Dafoe delivers an unforgettably incredible and gripping performanceIt's rare to to watch a film that reaches into the soul of the viewer to nip and prod at the insecurities and emotional journeys that have been taken, but The Hunter, through a metaphorical sight, does exactly that.
Willem Dafoe delivers an unforgettably incredible and gripping performance under his cover alias of Martin David, a sort of undercover mercenary who has been hired and sent to the one of the last remaining great wilderness, Tasmania, by a mysterious company looking for the last remaining Tasmanian tiger, believed to be extinct.
As we kick off with Martin receiving a frosty reception from the town folk, he is met with the hospitality of a mother and her two children, who have been reeling after the disappearance of their father.
Martin sets off into the sprawling forestry, and this is truly where the film finds its feet, this is a test of survival, and a personal battle of wits and questions of life choices as Martin is increasingly the victim of mysterious anomalies within the secluded land
He grows increasingly close to the family he is staying with, as they are dealing with their missing husband/father, and hardship from the people in the town due to their lifestyle.
The cinematography of The Hunter is on a scale that could match any epic blockbuster, its beautiful panning shots with a widescreen view of the Tasmanian wilderness, along with the quieter and isolated moments involving Dafoe and his gun are some of the best scenes of the film, and thus solidifying Dafoe's performance as flawless even more.
The film ultimately paints an abstract picture, basically meaning that we are not quite sure who is right and who is wrong, what is good and what isn't. It isn't a straight-up catch your prey film, but one with a thoughtful and emotional, detailed and gritty story, that buy the time the climax rolls around, Dafoe is menacing as a man now out to survive, out to live, but most of all, out to finish his work and make peace with whatever demons have haunted him. The drama between the family and the wilderness truly sets this film apart from any other, with stellar supporting performances from Frances O'Connor and Sam Neill, a journey that will leave many surprised at the scope of this film, but the underrated brilliance of its depth, easily one of the best films to arrive in the last few years with one of the most memorable standalone performances from Dafoe.
Tragic but thrilling, gritty, cold, but easily captivating.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BryceHoogland

Jul 9, 2012

Daniel Nettheim is the director of The Hunter and what a great showcase for his talent this film is. What makes this film a showcase for Nettheim is the beautiful cinematography. The solitary forest scenes have a tentative, naturalistic beauty that leaves you in awe.The pacing of the film isDaniel Nettheim is the director of The Hunter and what a great showcase for his talent this film is. What makes this film a showcase for Nettheim is the beautiful cinematography. The solitary forest scenes have a tentative, naturalistic beauty that leaves you in awe.The pacing of the film is almost consistent throughout the film. It gets a bit choppy when Dafoe… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Jailhouse_McGee

Oct 12, 2012

This might be a very personal view, but I loved the great acting and the calm, but deep atmosphere of this movie. Not all storylines may finally be resolved as the viewer wished to, but this is still very fine work.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

geewah

Jan 18, 2021

A poignant story on the environment and man's efforts to profit no matter the cost.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Jan 12, 2021

Without pushing himself, Willem Dafoe sustains this slow but entertaining film.

There's nothing memorable about it, but Dafoe's work is a good incentive to see it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Sep 17, 2018

that good old family drama..

The Hunter The Hunter is a character driven feature about an assassin traveling through newer boundaries to finish the allotted task. The tiny tricks and tactics that is not only slick but much simpler and sensible that if not anything but sets the bar wisely.that good old family drama..

The Hunter

The Hunter is a character driven feature about an assassin traveling through newer boundaries to finish the allotted task. The tiny tricks and tactics that is not only slick but much simpler and sensible that if not anything but sets the bar wisely. It uses its props to speak volumes along with the physical sequences unlike carrying out the information through verbal sparrings; leave all that, it even draws out most of the investigation through painting. The slow pill in here isn't the makers conveying a message with panache and milking its characters, but is essential for its all the crispiness. The background score is poorly scored, the sound effects aren't that impressive, the art designing is questionable, the cinematography is typical and the editing is decent. Dafoe's relationship with the children in here are the real gem of the features as it is sweet and tender and helps ground such an eerie material which usually may take some time to connect with the viewers. Dafoe's writhing performance is what fuels this feature entirely justifying his stardom on this indie drama. The narrative is elaborative and not at all stretchy with few subtle notions that may grow louder but never pretentious. Despite of being set in a pathos world, the poignancy never communicates as the stakes aren't convoluted but sensible enough to cheat its way out and still won't feel like being cheated. Few sequences are shot beautifully but Nettheim's execution isn't thoroughly convincing. The innocence of the relationship brewed among Dafoe and the children and his stellar performance are the high points of the feature. The Hunter doesn't change a dime on cinema but its impactful yet weary eyes that it stares you with, might leave you shook and rooting more for that good old family drama.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FDT44

Apr 6, 2012

Though "The Hunter" has an aptly casted protagonist, Willem Dafoe, as fitting for the film as any actor, it fails to consummate any real solution; audiences are left waiting for the hunt through inquisitive lens, are briefly interrupted with forays into detractingly impertinent melodrammaThough "The Hunter" has an aptly casted protagonist, Willem Dafoe, as fitting for the film as any actor, it fails to consummate any real solution; audiences are left waiting for the hunt through inquisitive lens, are briefly interrupted with forays into detractingly impertinent melodramma (the remote farmhouse with a grieving drug-addled mother and her two vexatious children), and then are met with poetic, philosophical, and transcendental overtones, which although are redeeming, feel forced and ultimately come too late. What television director, Daniel Nettheim, gets wrong is that he leans too heavily on the flinty, chisel-featured Dafoe, who single-handedly dominates the film's action, with no support from anyone else but Sam Neil, who is confoundingly given too inconsequential a role--he deserves better. As mentioned, Dafoe is great, again solidifying his prowess as a physical actor; he is so engrossing to watch, one can't help but wonder if his maniliness--gathering wood for fire, preparing traps, and taking aim at targets--can be made into his own television show; he's more rugged, raw, and untamed than other reality-TV survivalists. But, perhaps the most captivating element of 'Hunter' is its astounding cinematography from Robert Humphrey, who wonderfully captures the Tasmanian frondescence; the lush Tasmanian buttongrass and enchanting mountain peaks serve as effective backdrops to the increasing unease and dread. Overall, "The Hunter" is an ecological think piece that is aided by a strong lead and wonderous landscape, but suffers to actualize itself into anything but, "what if..." One is likely to leave the theater changed, thinking about it long after the credits have rolled, but such contemplation can't be had without a heaping sense of displeasure over the film's concluding irresolution. Put briefly: "The Hunter" is lean.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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