After The Hunt is an upcoming psychological thriller starring Julia Roberts that not too long ago premiered on the Venice Movie Pageant. The movie focuses on Roberts’ character Alma Inhoff, who has to face a significant battle of curiosity after her pal and colleague Henrik “Hank” Gibson (Andrew Garfield) is accused of s*xual assault by her star mentee Margaret “Maggie” Resnick (Ayo Edebiri).
The movie’s tackling of such delicate subject material has not come with out controversy, nonetheless. The themes explored within the film sparked a direct debate round feminism, pitting girls in opposition to one another, and victim-blaming. Roberts spoke out in opposition to the backlash throughout the Venice Movie Pageant, claiming individuals had been “dropping the artwork of dialog.”
Why Is There A Backlash To After The Hunt?
Throughout the Venice Movie Pageant press convention, a reporter claimed that After The Hunt could also be damaging to the #MeToo motion, due to dredging up previous arguments about whether or not girls who deliver up their tales of s*xual assault must be believed, and the concept of ladies being pitted in opposition to one another.
Julia Roberts addressed the factors throughout the query by saying, per The Guardian: “To not be unpleasant, as a result of it’s not in my nature, however the factor you mentioned that I like is it ‘revives previous arguments.’ I don’t suppose it’s simply reviving an argument of ladies being pitted in opposition to one another or not supporting one another. There are lots of previous arguments that get rejuvenated that creates dialog.”
The actress insisted that the film wasn’t simply written to generate controversy for the sake of it, however was a genuinely earnest try at having troublesome conversations, together with her believing that society was sadly “dropping the artwork of dialog in humanity proper now.”
Roberts additional claimed that the truth that individuals had been discussing the movie’s difficult themes was an indicator of After The Hunt’s profitable strategy. “The most effective a part of your query is that you just all got here out of the theatre speaking about it. That’s how we wished it to really feel. You realise what you imagine in strongly as a result of we stir all of it up for you. So, you’re welcome.”
The movie’s director, Luca Guadagnino, had his personal enter on the controversy. He acknowledged that the movie tackled the troublesome drawback of reconciling the truths of a number of individuals and wasn’t about “making a manifesto to revive old style values.”
Throughout the convention, there have been additionally questions on politics, the try to spark controversy and the portrayal of “troubled” girls within the movie. “Bother is the place the juicy stuff is,” Roberts mentioned in response. “It’s like dominos of battle, as soon as one falls, then instantly all over the place you flip, there’s some new piece of battle and problem. That’s what makes it value getting up and going to work within the morning.” “That’s the way you develop,” Ayo Edebiri added. “That’s the kind of film I take pleasure in watching.”
After The Hunt Continues To Divide Netizens & Critics Alike
Though Julia Roberts and director Luca Guadagnino stand firmly behind the movie, reactions from critics and the web are way more divided. X person @vnbvrnt struggled to imagine good religion in regards to the film and claimed that the individuals behind it actually had been looking for controversy for its personal sake.
the response to after the hunt is making me lose the advantage of doubt i used to be having for it. it appears they’re extra involved in producing controversy and robust reactions for the sake of it and never as a result of there’s really one thing to say pic.twitter.com/kjTXzpRseS
— luz (@vnbvrnt) August 29, 2025
However, person @firstshowing was extremely impressed with the film and praised its “philosophically/mental advanced script” that addressed the tradition of denial round s*xual assault.
After the Hunt – Luca Guadanigno’s greatest movie after CMBYN. An exceptionally dense, philosophically/intellectually advanced script that immediately deal with sexual assault denialism. Meticulously crafted, entrancing & harrowing to observe. Beloved it – hasn’t left my thoughts in any respect. #Venezia82 pic.twitter.com/zIurSXJ1uP
— Alex @ #Venezia82 (@firstshowing) August 29, 2025
As for the movie’s critiques to date, Decider’s Marshall Shaffer claimed that the movie was “too sensible for its personal good” and sometimes grew to become too didactic when tackling the fragile theme of sexual assault.
‘After the Hunt’ Venice Movie Pageant Evaluate: Luca Guadagnino’s cancel tradition drama may be too sensible for its personal good https://t.co/qdmwqdTawy pic.twitter.com/PKMsWsMvHS
— Decider (@decider) August 29, 2025
In the meantime, Awards Watch’s Roberto Ruggio believed that the movie’s determination to offer each character a darkish secret made the plot too convoluted and known as it a “misfire.”
‘After the Hunt’ Evaluate: Regardless of a Stellar Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino’s Newest is a #MeToo Misfire [C-] Venice https://t.co/czskuS6dJG
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) August 29, 2025
After the Hunt has been licensed by Amazon MGM Studios, it’s going to have a large launch in america on October 10, 2025.
You possibly can take a look at the trailer of the movie beneath:
For extra such tales, take a look at Hollywood Information
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