Hunter Hunter (2020) | Film Review

Survivalist thrillers often scramble to showcase exactly what threats our protagonists face that would ever warrant whatever sadistic action or direction their characters eventually undertake. Often it works impeccably (Deliverance, The Grey), while at other times, it evolves into a mere chore to reach the final credits without being bored senseless by all of the contrived choices those we are supposed to be rooting for inevitably make. Hunter Hunter is a prime example of the former.

Anne and Joseph Mersault (Camille Sullivan and Devon Sawa) lead an admittedly “hard life” with their daughter, Renee (an impressive Summer H. Howell), deep amidst the remoteness of the Northern woods. Joe, a skilled trap hunter, prefers to live off the land, passing down his knowledge of survival to Renee in the process. Most of the family’s sheltered existence stems from Joe’s ability to trap food and prepare furs or meat for sale, and financially times are growing increasingly dire. This destitution puts Anne’s interests in direct conflict with Joe’s as she debates the best environment in which Renee can thrive.

While they confront the ever-present possibility of wading back into civilian life, Joe and Anne are startled with a more immediate threat: a vicious lone wolf has once again invaded Joe’s trap line. Knowing the Mersaults have a fairly steady supply of food at the ready, this particular hunter is also as deadly as he is elusive. Joe leaves Anne to care for Renee and sets off to trap the beast himself, where he makes another horrific discovery that takes this dangerous game of hunter versus prey to another level.

There is so much more to Hunter Hunter than that brief description suggests, but relaying anything else truly would crush the glorious surprises that await a fresh viewing (trust me, skip the trailer). As a critic and avid fan alike, one thing I personally cannot tolerate is when a critique leads too far down the spoiler highway. Therefore, I’m sticking to the backcountry on this one.

Instead, let me tell you why you should track down Hunter Hunter as fast as you can.

First off, the performances are impeccable. Devon Sawa sternly delivers Joe as a determined survivalist who is terrified of a life outside of his family’s land. Though outwardly stoic and resolute, the mere suggestion of giving this all up rattles his mind enough to make more than a few tragically miscalculated mistakes and lapses in judgment as he pursues his prey. Sawa’s intensity allows us a peak inside the mind of a man of few words, and it’s a performance that resonates throughout the film.

A strong supporting cast surrounds the film, but the majority of Hunter Hunter is carried by Camille Sullivan’s Anne as she cares for Renee back at the cabin, left to the very real possibility of hunting a wolf herself. Anne initially seems assured and confident, yet the fear of this wolf’s return has her understandably spooked. She fears for her family’s safety, and worries that Joe’s arrogance about this threat will potentially threaten the very lives of those she holds dear.

Anne is vividly tested as the film builds, and Sullivan’s character is put through a wringer of sadism until the film’s insanely ferocious conclusion. Throughout ALL of it, Sullivan is who keeps the film grounded and relatable. The entire film is a Rubik’s cube of hunting analogies, not the least of which is how Anne’s naiveté and inexperience with hunting could potentially cost her greatly. Her concluding moments in the film, as Anne reaches the apex of her skillset, is some of the finest work I’ve witnessed an actor pull off this year. Though genre roles rarely receive the attention they deserve, Camille Sullivan confidently earns every accolade coming her way.

Writer and director Shawn Linden expertly winds up the tension until he tricks us into the masterful bear trap he has set, perfectly leading us down a path we thought we knew was coming, yet manages to surprise us nonetheless. I don’t make this statement lightly, Hunter Hunter has the most intensely unexpected ending of any film released in 2020, hands down. Anger, rage, denial, cinematic verbal abuse, knots in my stomach, and a hefty dose of “no, you f*****g didn’t!” permeates the final 15 minutes or so of Linden’s film, and every bit of that is a compliment to the filmmakers and cast.

Though I am not sure exactly where it will land as of this writing, I can tell you with confidence that Hunter Hunter will easily place as one of the best films of the year.

Follow our further discussion on Hunter Hunter via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: