The Hunt (2020)
Director: Craig Zobel
Synopsis[]
Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are -- or how they got there. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, ruthless elitists gather at a remote location to hunt humans for sport. But their master plan is about to be derailed when one of the hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin), turns the tables on her pursuers.
Trivia[]
- The movie was yanked from its original release date due to mass shootings, then rescheduled for March 13th, 2020, to then be affected drastically at the box office by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
- Due to the closure of movie theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal announced that the movie will be available to rent from Friday 20th March 2020 with 48-hour viewing windows for $19.99. This was merely one week after hitting theater screens after having been pulled from its previous release
- It was believed the film was originally going to be called "Red State vs Blue State," but this was later denied by Universal, who stated it was never a working title anytime during production.
- This film was partly inspired by "The Most Dangerous Game", the famous 1924 short story by Richard Connell, but with a satirical twist. Other films with similar premises include: The Most Dangerous Game (1932), Turkey shoot (1982), Hard Target (1993), Surviving the Game (1994), The Pest (1997), and The Eliminator (2004).
- There are several cultural character references throughout the movie. Crystal does a superb take on Aesop's fable of the Hare and the Tortoise, only she tells it as the story of the jackrabbit and the box turtle (see quotes). The jackrabbit makes an appearance on screen just before Crystal eats Athena's grilled cheese sandwich after their fight. There are also references to George Orwell's book, "Animal Farm": One of the Hunters on the plane calls the Deplorable who who woke up early (Randy), "Squealer". The pig is named Orwell. There are jars of pickled pigs lips in Ma & Pa's store. When Ma reports that they got three of 'em, she uses Animal Farm code names, "Molly, Moses and Mr. Whymper". When the hunters are choosing their victims, Athena says, referring to Crystal, "We have our Snowball". And Crystal argues with Athena at the end about being labeled as Snowball.
Male Deaths[]
- Justin Hartley [Trucker]
- Usman Ally [Crisis Mike]
- Walker Babington [Bandana Man]
- Ike Barinholtz [Staten Island]
- Christopher Berry [Target]
- Reed Birney [Pa]
- Macon Blair [Fauxvoy]
- Steve Coulter [The Doctor]
- Wayne Duvall [Don]
- Glenn Howerton [Richard]
- Jason Kirkpatrick [Rannnnndeee]
- Steve Mokale [Sgt. Dale]
- Vince Pisani [Peter]
- Sturgill Simpson [Vanilla Nice]
- Ethan Suplee [Gary]
- Dean J. West [Martin]
Female Deaths[]
- Sylvia Grace Crim [Dead Sexy]
- Amy Madigan [Ma]
- Kate Nowlin [Big Red]
- Emma Roberts [Yoga Pants]
- Hilary Swank [Athena]
- Teri Wyble [Liberty]