Written by Nora Garrett and directed by Luca Guardagnino, After the Hunt presents a fictional scenario that reflects the current state of our world. The film gives a sharp commentary about power politics, inappropriate behavior, generational differences, and the impact that results from both. The movie never offers any easy answers and does an excellent job of presenting its characters as realistically as possible in our current climate. The result is a very uncomfortable experience, but it serves as an essential reminder to people of the consequences of their actions.
Julia Roberts stars as Alma Imhoff, a philosophy professor at Yale University who faces a scenario that could totally derail her academic career. Alma and her psychiatrist husband, Frederik (Michael Stuhlbarg), host a party at their home, where several of Alma’s colleagues and students gather to eat, drink, and discuss philosophical topics. Fellow instructor, Henrik Gibson (Andrew Garfield), ends up leaving the party with Alma’s student, Maggie Resnick (Ayo Edebiri). Not long after the party, Maggie approaches Alma in confidence and hints at a sexual assault at the hands of Henrik—university politics and other problems from Alma’s past influence her approach to handling this tremendously awkward situation. Although the visual presentation is unexceptional, Guadagnino focuses on the characters and how he develops their experiences throughout this troubling chain of events. Jobs, job security, and future implications come into play, along with the issues of motives, which definitely complicate the result of this example of bad behavior. Guadagnino and Nora Garrett do a great job of presenting realistic and genuine portrayals of the reactions of all parties involved.
Most of the cast deliver exceptional work, fleshing out the conflicts that exist within their psyches. Julia Roberts is definitely a standout in this film and should receive some recognition come awards season. Andrew Garfield is another actor who deserves high praise for his acting in this movie. Ayo Edebiri gives a solid turn, but never rises above the usual performances she typically gives.
The filmmakers also make some bizarre choices, particularly in one moment where Frederik’s ego is wounded. Though this moment is quite funny at first, the gag runs way too long. The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is effective in some scenes, but it is too distracting in others.
So, even though this film has its flaws, I was overall engrossed in After the Hunt. Guadagnino and company have produced a movie that feels rather timely and calls some serious attention to the weaknesses within the human condition. It is a mostly fascinating film that I highly recommend.