REVIEW: “After the Hunt” (2025)

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Luca Guadagnino’s new film, “After the Hunt,” represents a slight shift for the director. While he’s typically known for exploring themes of sensuality and obsession, this film doesn’t focus on those quite as intensely. Though traces of his usual style remain, “After the Hunt” feels like a departure, even if it does create some new issues for the story.

Luca Guadagnino has assembled a fantastic cast, with Julia Roberts delivering one of her strongest performances in years. She plays Alma Imhoff, a respected philosophy professor at Yale. Alma is a multifaceted character, navigating the traditionally male world of academia with both strength and vulnerability. She can appear as a formidable and unapproachable intellectual who enjoys being the focus of attention, but beneath the surface lies a troubled woman hiding her pain and suppressing her feelings.

Alma’s carefully ordered life is thrown into turmoil when her student, Maggie Resnick (Ayo Edebiri), accuses her friend and colleague, Hank Gibson (Andrew Garfield), of sexual assault. The incident allegedly occurred after a dinner party at Alma’s house. Hank confesses to Alma that he walked Maggie home and even went up to her apartment for a drink, but strongly denies any wrongdoing.

Okay, so there’s something *really* interesting going on between Alma and Hank. As a philosophy professor, I’m always looking for hidden meanings, and this relationship is full of them! They’re both up for the same tenured position at the university, which already adds tension, but it’s what happens *outside* of work that’s fascinating. They’re way too close for colleagues, and it’s clearly bothering Alma’s husband, Frederik. Michael Stuhlbarg plays him brilliantly – he’s quiet, but you can *feel* his frustration bubbling underneath. It’s a really subtle performance, and it adds so much to the dynamic.

Alma’s connection with Maggie is complicated, though in a different way than her other relationships. Alma appreciates Maggie’s admiration and enjoys being seen as a role model. However, they quickly disagree on how to deal with the accusations Maggie is making. Alma’s past experiences, particularly growing up in a male-dominated world, make her prioritize protecting herself and avoiding trouble over showing compassion. Meanwhile, Maggie pretends to be a victim to gain sympathy, but she’s actually deceitful, self-serving, and controlling, which makes people doubt her honesty.

Luca Guadagnino and Nora Garrett center their film around Alma, showing her struggle to deal with the aftermath of #MeToo while caught between the questionable behavior of Maggie and the inappropriate advances of Hank. Through Alma’s story, the film explores complex issues like power imbalances, who gets to be a victim, the benefits of privilege, life in academia, the importance of support networks, changing social norms, and the differences between generations. The filmmakers offer a strange mix of sympathy and criticism towards the wealthy, intellectual characters. However, the film is largely dark and unsettling, with only occasional moments of kindness or hope.

Guadagnino and Garrett deliberately avoid a straightforward narrative, instead offering a film that asks viewers to think for themselves. The story is intentionally open to interpretation, prompting us to question our own understanding. However, one scene feels out of place, almost suggesting a specific answer and weakening the film’s overall ambiguity. While frustrating, this moment doesn’t completely ruin the director’s vision.

“After the Hunt” is a compelling and well-made drama with outstanding performances from Roberts, Garfield, and Stuhlbarg. It tackles a controversial topic in a brave and thought-provoking way. While the film isn’t perfect – one plot point relies on a rather unbelievable coincidence, and the ending feels somewhat unresolved – director Guadagnino delivers an intelligent and captivating film that stays with you.

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2025-10-20 20:57