Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri speak out on the “surprising” responses to divisive After The Hunt

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Luca Guadagnino’s latest film, *After the Hunt*, is proving to be quite controversial – people either seem to love it or hate it, with very little middle ground.

Okay, so as of today, the movie’s sitting at a pretty low 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been getting hammered by a lot of critics – we even gave it two stars – but it’s not a total wash. Some major newspapers, like The Times and The Telegraph, actually gave it five stars, which is a huge difference! It’s definitely a mixed bag, and I’m curious to see if opinions will shift.

I can definitely see why this film is sparking so much debate! It really gets under your skin, telling the story of a Yale PhD student and her serious claims against a professor. It’s a complicated, thought-provoking piece that tackles a lot of the issues we’re all talking about today, but it doesn’t neatly tie everything up with a bow. It leaves you with a lot to consider, and I appreciate that.

He explained that it’s unusual and invigorating to be involved in something where there isn’t a clear agreement or established path. He found it both strange and exciting to be part of such a situation, feeling a sense of freedom in the lack of consensus.

When you create something and share it with the world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting everyone to simply agree and like your work. It’s tempting to just want universal approval.

He explained that it’s freeing to realize everyone interprets art differently. When you accept that subjective response, it actually becomes the most interesting part – it can be a source of growth, energy, and new ideas.

Ayo Edebiri explained that she and Chris Pratt both understood, going into the project, that the movie might not be universally loved. They had anticipated a mixed reaction after first reading the script.

Just talking with Luca and getting a sense of the project, I knew it would be intense, challenging, and force me to re-examine my beliefs and experiences, she explained.

It was great to have such open conversations throughout the entire experience, and it meant a lot to see those feelings reflected back. I feel like I’ve grown and learned so much, and having that acknowledged was really wonderful.

Garfield also mentioned he’d hosted some friends at the film’s Gala Screening during the London Film Festival last weekend. He felt their reactions showed exactly what makes the movie so compelling.

I noticed that everyone who stayed awake for the late screening seemed to be reacting to the film based on their personal experiences. It was like the movie was a good indicator of what people were going through in their own lives.

Julia Roberts plays a college professor who knows both Garfield and Edebiri’s characters well, but her reaction to the unfolding events is complicated by personal issues.

A college professor’s life is turned upside down when a student accuses a coworker of wrongdoing, potentially revealing a hidden secret from the professor’s own history.

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2025-10-19 10:34