The Hunt

110 minutes

DENMARK

Directed and co-written by Thomas Vinterberg, THE HUNT is a disturbing depiction of how a lie becomes the truth when gossip, doubt and malice are allowed to flourish and ignite a witch-hunt that soon threatens to destroy an innocent man's life. Mads Mikkelsen won the Best Actor Award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival for his penetrating portrayal of Lucas, a former school teacher who has been forced to start over having overcome a tough divorce and the loss of his job. Just as things are starting to go his way, his life is shattered when an untruthful remark throws his small community into a collective state of hysteria. As the lie spreads, Lucas is forced to fight a lonely fight for his life and dignity.

94% on the CINEMETER

90% - May 5, 2013

Very powerful - the little girl was marvelous. I appreciate that they did not sugarcoat the ending." "A timeless masterpiece! Certainly joins 'The Crucible' as a story that needs to be told over and over until we learn its lessons (although obviously we never will).
Washington, DC Member

Excruciatingly riveting! A beautiful juxtaposition of human society and nature in both its wonder and its cruelty. An incredible movie in its ability to provoke thought and emotion. An understated, terrifying movie. I need a drink.
Washington, DC Member

Madds Mikkelsen takes on some really difficult roles - his characters don't have easy lives." "A well acted story showing that life isn't fair, and gossip harms everyone. Ambiguous ending forces the viewer to question the director's and screenwriter's intent.
Washington, DC Member

STL

99% - May 19, 2013

The film was absolutely captivating! My heart was pounding throughout the entire film. From a psychology perspective, it truly showed what could happen with a false accusation, and how it could literally ruin a person’s life. I don’t feel that I have emotionally connected to a movie like this ever!
St. Louis Member

Brutally real and human depiction of every teacher’s worst nightmare. Just when it looks like it has copped out with a happy ending, it hits the audience between the eyes with a missed shot. Brilliant performance by Mikkelsen.
St. Louis Member

Mads Mikkelsen, the magnificent, as Lucas. Such a memorable portrayal.
This is a film that reminds us all that searching for the truth is a journey in open mindedness, data gathering, and logical thinking on the part of an inquisition. How ironic that these are exactly the opposite of what appears to be needed by an innocent person accused of a heinous crime.
St. Louis Member

98% - May 12, 2013

A tour de force. Brilliantly done film, so tense, so upsetting. I appreciated that the film depcited all the people as good people, doing what they thought was right--this made the message all the more powerful.
San Francisco Member

Devastating. Excellent. Devastating. Excellent. Devastating. Excellent.
San Francisco Member

Having been wrongly suspected of child molestation myself based solely on being a homosexual, I understand the ignorance of gang mentality and how it causes great harm. Well done. One of those excellent films that can only be recommended to a few people.
San Francisco Member

Wow. Wathcing a nightmare unfold at a perfectly agonizing pace.
San Francisco Member

88% - May 5, 2013

I was left visibly shaken and enthralled by the brilliant acting, stunning cinematography and intriguing storyline. This movie is a true gem!
Greater New Haven Member

Excellent! The evil is in projecting our adult needs onto a child, including what we take to be our needs for innocence. Does the director illustrate it by seducing us into projecting our desire for a happy ending onto the film onto the film's "unreal" ending?
Greater New Haven Member

Utterly fantastic film. Superb acting by Mikkelsen and Larsen. Also incredible performance by Klara. Extremely effective. I loved it.
Greater New Haven Member

One of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen. But it had so much to say about human nature!
Greater New Haven Member

The Hunt ©

Magnolia Pictures