The thriller “The Hunt” is available on Netflix France after creating controversy in the United States at the time of its release. Donald Trump himself castigated the film, denouncing “leftist and racist Hollywood”.
The Hunt: the hunt is on
The Hunt released in cinemas in France in June 2020 tells the story of twelve strangers who wake up in a clearing, disoriented, with the only certainty that they have become the targets of a manhunt. Organized by a group of self-proclaimed wealthy elites, this hunt pits “privileged” people against ordinary citizens in a fight for survival. As the story progresses, the film descends into bloody chaos where the prey try to outwit their hunters.
Carried by a solid cast including Betty Gilpin in the main role, as well as Hilary Swankthe film is distinguished by its twists and turns and its sharp criticism of social and political divisions. Far from being a simple horror film, The Hunt uses satirical elements to paint an exaggerated but revealing portrait of the ideological conflicts and prejudices that oppose social classes and political camps. Betty Gilpin shines as an unexpected heroine, whose intelligence and tenacity destabilize the right-thinking elites.
A controversial film criticized by Donald Trump
Even before its initial release in the United States scheduled for September 2019, The Hunt has been at the center of an explosive national debate. In the United States, the trailer and synopsis quickly sparked an outcry, particularly among conservatives and some of the media. The film was seen as an incendiary allegory American political divisionscaricaturing a clash between “elitist progressives” and “conservative rural Americans.”
The controversy took on unprecedented proportions when it caught the attention of former President Donald Trump. Without explicitly mentioning The HuntTrump posted a scathing message on Twitter, accusing Hollywood of producing films that divide the country. He called the film's creators “really racist” and accused them of “hurting America.” These statements immediately propelled The Hunt in the spotlight, but not for the right reasons. He declared:
Leftist Hollywood is racist to the highest degree (…) The film aims to generate chaos. They create their own violence and try to blame others. They are the real racists, they are the ones who are bad for our country!
To this controversy was added a national tragedy : During the summer of 2019, the United States was hit by several mass shootings, including in El Paso and Dayton. These tragic events pushed Universal Pictures to temporarily cancel the release of the film, believing that the context was not suitable for its release. The Hunt finally saw the light of day in March 2020, but in a still tense climate, where the public was divided on its message and its intentions.
Despite the accusations, the film's creators, including screenwriter Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers), claimed that The Hunt was not a glorification of violence or a political attack on any particular side. On the contrary, the film was intended to be a critique of the ideological extremes of both sides, denouncing both the prejudices of the progressive elite and the caricature of rural conservatives. This satirical intention was appreciated by some critics, but it was not enough to extinguish the fires of controversy.
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