Luca Guadagnino’s film ‘After the Hunt’ received mixed reviews at its premiere in Venice and opened the New York Film Festival with similar reactions. The film, featuring Julia Roberts, explores complex themes but has faced criticism for its narrative coherence.
When Luca Guadagnino’s film After the Hunt debuted at the Venice Film Festival in late August, it faced a wave of mixed reviews. Critics acknowledged the strong performances and direction but expressed confusion over first-time screenwriter Nora Garrett’s screenplay, which explores themes of privilege and power in a post-#MeToo society.
Despite the mixed to negative feedback, the film was featured as the opening night gala at the New York Film Festival (NYFF) a month later. The film tells the story of a Yale philosophy professor, played by Julia Roberts, who becomes embroiled in a sexual assault accusation involving her Black student, portrayed by Ayo Edebiri, against a white colleague, played by Andrew Garfield. The NYFF, directed by former film critic Dennis Lim and managing director Matt Bolish, kicked off last Friday at Alice Tully Hall.
Previous films by Guadagnino, such as Queer, Bones and All, and Call Me by Your Name, received more favorable receptions at the festival than After the Hunt has thus far. However, there is hope that new discussions surrounding the film could improve its standing. At the premiere’s after-party at Tavern on the Green, many millennial critics and journalists expressed disappointment with the film. Running just under 2 hours and 20 minutes, some felt its length contributed to a disjointed narrative.
There are plot points that seem inconsistent or unrealistic, such as why Roberts’ character, Alma, keeps a revealing photo related to a past secret hidden under her bathroom vanity instead of in her private office. A colleague who reviewed an earlier draft of the screenplay noted that many elements, including this one, were different in that version. This raises questions about what changes were made and why.
Despite the criticism, the film has its supporters, including one critic who praised its insightful examination of how trauma is experienced across generations, suggesting that Alma is significantly older than Edebiri’s character. After the Hunt is positioned as Amazon MGM Studios’ key contender for the upcoming Oscar race, although it may struggle to secure a nomination for Roberts, who last won Best Actress in 2001 for Erin Brockovich. Her most recent nomination was for Supporting Actress in 2014 for August: Osage County.
However, the film may still resonate with the Golden Globes, especially among the international voters who attended a packed press conference during the film’s global junket. Journalists engaged with Roberts and her team, in contrast to her experience at the Venice Film Festival, where she faced a challenging question about the film’s feminist themes.
Roberts has a strong history with the Globes, having been nominated ten times and winning three awards. The dual categories for Best Actress (Musical/Comedy and Drama) provide her with more opportunities. After the Hunt could appeal to two key demographics: international audiences and older viewers who may not have grown up with the issues the film addresses, reflecting the diversity of the approximately 300-member Golden Globes voting body.
Amazon MGM Studios will release After the Hunt in select theaters on Friday, October 10, followed by a nationwide rollout on Friday, October 17. The film’s performance with general audiences will be crucial for its box office success. Once it becomes available on Amazon Prime Video, fans of Edebiri, Roberts, Garfield, and Guadagnino can watch it with minimal risk and share their thoughts and clips on social media, potentially giving the film a new lease on life.
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