A horror film once banned in the United States has now found a home on Netflix, reigniting discussions about its controversial themes and unrestrained history.
The satirical thriller, starring Hilary Swank and Betty Gilpin, stirred significant controversy upon its announcement. Its plot—where 12 strangers are hunted by powerful “globalist elites”—has been interpreted as sharp political commentary, pitting wealthy liberals against right-leaning individuals.
A Film Born Into Controversy
Titled The Hunt, the movie’s provocative premise quickly made it a lightning rod for criticism. Initially scheduled for release on September 27, 2019, its marketing campaign was abruptly paused after two tragic mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, on August 4 of that year.
These back-to-back tragedies, which claimed the lives of over 30 people, prompted Universal Pictures to reevaluate the timing of the release. The studio ultimately canceled the release date, citing “thoughtful consideration” in light of the national conversation surrounding violence and mass shootings.
The trailer was pulled, and discussions around the movie temporarily quieted. However, the controversy resurfaced when the film became a topic in broader political debates.
Political Firestorm
Then-President Donald Trump fueled the controversy without explicitly naming The Hunt. He condemned Hollywood for producing films he described as “designed to inflame and cause chaos,” adding fuel to the fire of conservative platforms that already viewed the movie as a liberal critique of their ideology.
The film’s use of the term “deplorables” further intensified scrutiny. The word, famously used by Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign to describe some of Trump’s supporters, led many to interpret the movie as portraying a world where liberals hunt conservatives for sport.
This narrative gained traction across conservative media outlets, amplifying the perception of the film as a politically charged statement rather than entertainment.
A Satirical Lens
Despite the uproar, the creators of The Hunt maintained that the movie was intended as satire rather than serious political commentary. Director Craig Zobel described the project as “fun, funny, and not super dark,” emphasizing that the story was designed to entertain while playfully poking fun at political extremes.
Producer Jason Blum echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the film being politicized before anyone had even seen it. He hoped the debates surrounding the movie would drive curiosity and encourage audiences to engage with the story for themselves.
A Delayed Release and Renewed Interest
Seven months after the initial controversy, Universal Pictures announced that the movie would finally be released in March 2020, accompanied by a cheeky tagline: “The most talked about movie nobody has ever seen.”
The re-release reignited debates, with critics and audiences divided over the decision. Some applauded Universal for delaying the movie out of sensitivity to the cultural climate, while others pointed out the irony of shelving a film about violence while the root causes of mass shootings remained unaddressed.
The March release sparked moderate box office success, with many reviewers praising Betty Gilpin’s performance as the film’s protagonist. The movie struck a chord with audiences who enjoyed its over-the-top satire and willingness to provoke conversations about class, politics, and morality.
Now Streaming: A Second Life on Netflix
With its arrival on Netflix, The Hunt has gained a new audience, prompting fresh debates about its themes and the divisive climate in which it was originally released.
For some, the movie offers an exaggerated reflection of the deep political divides in the United States, highlighting the absurdity of extremism on both sides. For others, it remains a controversial artifact of a time when entertainment and politics collided in an unprecedented way.
Regardless of perspective, The Hunt stands as a cultural flashpoint, a reminder of the intersection between art, politics, and society. Now streaming, it gives audiences the chance to form their own opinions about the film that sparked a national conversation.