After the Hunt

"After the Hunt" is a psychological thriller that dives deep into the murky waters of power, truth, and personal history. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Nora Garrett, the film stars Julia Roberts as Alma Imhoff, a Yale philosophy professor whose life is upended when her star student accuses a colleague—and close friend—of sexual assault. As the situation escalates, Alma’s own past resurfaces, forcing her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself and the choices she's made.

This isn’t your typical campus drama. With a runtime of 139 minutes, the film takes its time unpacking the emotional and ethical complexities of its characters. Julia Roberts delivers a powerhouse performance, anchoring the story with a mix of vulnerability and intensity that critics have called one of her best in years. She’s joined by a strong supporting cast, including Ayo Edebiri as the determined student Maggie, Andrew Garfield as the accused professor Hank, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Alma’s husband, a university psychiatrist.

"After the Hunt" doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. It explores the gray areas of consent, institutional loyalty, and the long shadows cast by past trauma. It’s a film that asks a lot of its audience—there are no easy answers, and the characters are often as flawed as they are compelling. Guadagnino’s direction, paired with a haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, creates a tense, introspective atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.

That said, this movie won’t be for everyone. If you’re looking for a clear-cut narrative or a feel-good resolution, this might not be your cup of tea. Critics were mixed, with some praising its ambition and performances, while others found the story muddled and the pacing slow. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with a CinemaScore of C- suggesting that many viewers left the theater feeling conflicted.

But for those who appreciate character-driven dramas that tackle timely, provocative issues, "After the Hunt" offers a lot to chew on. It’s a film that invites discussion, challenges assumptions, and refuses to make things easy—which, depending on your taste, might be exactly what you’re looking for.