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The Hunter

Play trailer Poster for The Hunter R Released Apr 6, 2012 1h 40m Drama Adventure Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 93 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A shadowy corporation sends a mercenary (Willem Dafoe) to Tasmania to track down a nearly extinct tiger whose genetic code holds the secret to a dangerous weapon.
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The Hunter

The Hunter

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Critics Consensus

The Hunter occasionally suffers from predictability, but Willem Dafoe gives a terrific performance as an obsessive hunter on the trail of a mysterious beast.

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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey DVDTalk.com It's a character study, for the most part, allowing the complications and relationships to puncture the narrative only when they have finally penetrated the man. Apr 9, 2016 Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic Its mostly observant temper keeps us from being greatly moved, but it holds us with its acute, almost laboratory dissection of its people's beings. Jun 19, 2013 Full Review Steve Rose Guardian Dafoe is eminently watchable, and for the most part it's a distinctive, atmospheric movie that cherishes the persistence of mystery. Rated: 3/5 Jul 5, 2012 Full Review Ed Travis Hollywood Jesus The Hunter unfolds at a perfect pace and rests on a really strong script. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Jim Ross TAKE ONE Magazine Although there are morsels to savour in Daniel Nettheim's nature drama, particularly the location and the cinematography that takes advantage of it, the film never really comes together into a satisfying or cohesive whole. Feb 13, 2020 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture It gets bogged down in a saccharine subplot that ultimately derails the entire affair. Rated: 2.5/5 Nov 8, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pongo K Deep. Somewhat too dramatic and cruel. Kind of slow, more a drama than action. It's ok. C it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/09/25 Full Review Rodney S Seriously, connected with Tasmania and having been there over 200 times, this was one of the most cringe worthy films I've ever seen. So bad, I literally thought of walking out! William Defoe was so not convincing in the role. It's a long time since seen, can't remember too many specifics. One of the worst sessions in a theatre ever! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review David S All i can say is willem Dafoe need I say more. Only willem and liam neeson can turn a movie about a hitman hired to find a rare animal into an amazing movie. This movie is awrsome and Willem delivers. The cinematography is excellent in this movie. There is not much more i can say about this movie than that it is awesome. The acting, directing, cinematography and music is great in this movie. If you have not seen this movie then i recommend you do Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Emilliano Jr S I felt the boredom all throughout. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Damyn S While Defoe and O’Connor give commendable performances, the film’s political messaging is deeply flawed. The blatant critique of working-class Australian’s as murderous savages steals the underlying positive message the film attempts to deliver. The dichotomy of environmentalism against genuine working-class grievances sows an unnecessary division. The Hunter has potential as a fantastic tourist promotion for the often-forgotten Tasmanian landscape. But this open-ended attack of the working-class left me with overwhelmingly negative emotions – despite the heartwarming ending. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/09/24 Full Review Sean M Slow burn. We'll acted and filmed. But damn it really is disappointing story wise in terms of the culmination. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/24/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Daniel Nettheim

Director

Willem Dafoe

Martin David

Frances O'Connor

Lucy Armstrong

Sam Neill

Jack Mindy

Morgan Davies

Sass Armstrong

Finn Woodlock

Bike Armstrong

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The Hunter

Willem Dafoe as Martin David in "The Hunter." Willem Dafoe as Martin David in "The Hunter." (L-R) Willem Dafoe as Martin David and Sam Neill as Jack Mindy in "The Hunter." Willem Dafoe as Martin David in "The Hunter." (L-R) Callan Mulvey and Willem Dafoe as Martin David in "The Hunter." Frances O'Connor as Lucy Armstrong in "The Hunter." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A shadowy corporation sends a mercenary (Willem Dafoe) to Tasmania to track down a nearly extinct tiger whose genetic code holds the secret to a dangerous weapon.
Director
Daniel Nettheim
Producer
Vincent Sheehan
Screenwriter
Alice Addison
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Porchlight Films
Rating
R (Language|Brief Violence)
Genre
Drama, Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 6, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Runtime
1h 40m
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