By John Mulderig
NEW YORK (CNS) — Director Craig Zobel’s parable “The Hunt” (Universal) offers clever commentary on contemporary political and cultural divisions in the United States.
Unfortunately, as scripted by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof, the film is also deliberately outrageous in its gruesome portrayal of characters being maimed and killed. So the overall effect winds up being more sadistic than satiric.
The premise is as simple as it is wild. Led by disgruntled wealthy executive Athena (Hilary Swank), a group of elite fat cats kidnaps a dozen red-state types, aka “deplorables,” and hunts them for sport.
Most of their victims are taken out easily enough. But the one-percenters discover too late that hard-as-nails Crystal (Betty Gilpin) is prepared to put the combat skills she learned while serving in Afghanistan to good use against them.
Along with telling points about alienation, miscommunication and the perils of stereotyping people based on their background, Gilpin’s intense turn as the tightly wound, indefatigable war veteran is lost amid the orgy of bloodletting. So, too, is the fact that “The Hunt” adopts an unusual perspective for a Hollywood movie, gleefully skewering many a cow sacred to the politically correct.
It’s hard to appreciate the humor, after all, while an eyeball is being pierced by the heel of one of Athena’s shoes — Manolo Blahniks, no doubt — or a villain is being vaporized by the hand grenade an opponent has stuffed into his pants. Those on the trail of wholesome entertainment should avoid this needlessly cringe-inducing killing spree.
The film contains excessive gory violence, frequent profanities, a few milder oaths, pervasive rough and crude language and a bit of sexual humor. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.