After the Hunt Review: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri Explore Sexual Politics
Director Luca Guadagnino continues his exploration of how desire and love can distort perceptions of ourselves and others. Following Challengers and Queer, his new film After the Hunt delves deeper into complex emotional relationships.
Guadagnino’s Pattern of Complex Love Stories
In Challengers, Guadagnino depicted a twisted love triangle so intricate that lead actress Zendaya recommended watching the film twice to fully grasp the character dynamics. Similarly, Queer portrayed Daniel Craig's character as a frantic and sometimes pitiful obsessive, captivated by a younger man unable to reciprocate such intense feelings.
After the Hunt’s Unique Take on Desire
Unlike the fast-paced tennis championship in Challengers or the intense ayahuasca trip in Queer, After the Hunt focuses on a slower, more emotionally charged dynamic. The film portrays a pyramid of longing marked by underlying resentment rather than a traditional love triangle.
Critical Reception
The film premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in August but received mixed to negative reviews. It currently holds a 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest score for a Guadagnino-directed film.
“After The Hunt was met with mixed to negative reviews out of its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in August.”
— GameNexus Review
Summary
Guadagnino’s After the Hunt continues his thematic focus on desire's complexities but struggles to engage critics despite its emotionally nuanced narrative and strong cast performances.