Prime Video’s New Thriller With a Very Surprising RT Score Becomes an Instant Streaming Success

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Despite not being well-received by critics, a new movie is currently the most popular film on Amazon Prime Video, proving that streaming services like Prime Video and Netflix can give films a second chance after a poor theatrical release. Right now, the most-watched list includes enjoyable options like the Kevin James and Alan Ritchson comedy Playdate, the Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Christmas film Red One, and even Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is climbing the charts again.

I have to admit, I was really surprised to see what’s currently topping the charts on Prime Video! It’s a drama called After the Hunt, and it’s seriously good. Julia Roberts plays Alma, a well-respected professor at Yale, and the story centers around a student, Maggie (played by Ayo Edebiri), who confides in her about a sexual assault. The really tough part is that Alma struggles to believe Maggie, and that creates all sorts of complications. The cast is fantastic too – Andrew Garfield plays the professor who’s accused, and you’ve also got Michael Stuhlbarg as Alma’s husband and Chloe Sevigny as a student liaison. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something compelling.

Even though it’s currently the most popular movie on Prime Video, the film wasn’t successful when it came out in theaters and received negative reviews. It cost between $70 and $80 million to make, but only earned $9.3 million at the box office. It peaked at number nine in its opening weekend and never climbed higher. Critics generally disliked the movie, giving it a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though many praised the acting, particularly Julia Roberts’ performance. The main issue seemed to be the story itself, which received mixed reactions.

After The Hunt Getting Second Chance On Prime Video

Instead of a wide theatrical release, After the Hunt might do better on streaming. With fewer people going to the movies these days, and big blockbusters taking over the screens, it’s been hard for serious dramas to find an audience. The film tackles difficult topics, like sexual assault on a college campus and the failure of those in charge to address warning signs, making it a challenging watch for some.

Julia Roberts gave a compelling performance as a character haunted by her past. Years earlier, she falsely accused someone of sexual assault – an act that still constituted statutory rape. The man she accused tragically took his own life, leaving her with deep trust issues, especially with a student she becomes close to. When a later event suggests the student might be correct about something, it further complicates her already difficult situation.

A common criticism is that the story doesn’t offer clear answers, but that’s intentional. Life rarely provides neat resolutions, and the film reflects this with its ambiguous, back-and-forth account. This approach is similar to the 2008 film Doubt, which centered on accusations against a priest, and also left the truth unresolved. Doubt was a critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated movie.

This movie is more intimate in scope, and tastes have changed. A thoughtful film tackling a sensitive subject might actually find a wider audience through streaming services. It’s already proven successful on Prime Video. Director Luca Guadagnino consistently delivers compelling work, from critically praised films like Challengers to more divisive ones like Bones and All. Ultimately, this film could reignite important discussions about the topic it explores.

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2025-11-28 01:43