THE HUNTER

Adapted from Julia Leigh’s critically-acclaimed debut novel, The Hunter stars Willem Dafoe as Martin, an enigmatic mercenary who travels to Australia to capture the sole-surviving Tasmanian Tiger for a ruthless biotech corporation. When his unlikely friendship with a grief-stricken family draws him into conflict with a gang of thuggish loggers, Martin is forced to confront the immorality of his mission. As the film’s anti-hero, Dafoe (Spiderman, Antichrist) is spell-binding – indeed, Martin’s transformation from stoic loner to compassionate father-figure is handled with both conviction and masterful restraint by the actor whose simmering performance is laced with quiet, almost palpable melancholy. Co-stars Frances O’Connor and Sam Neill deliver similarly pared-back performances, while youngsters Morgana Davies and Finn Woodlock add necessary warmth as the children with whom Martin bonds. Furthermore, Aussie director Daniel Nettheim establishes himself as a proficient visual storyteller, harnessing the haunting majesty of Tasmania’s prehistoric landscape to evoke fear and awe in equal measure. Bold, uncompromising, and psychologically-complex, The Hunter is not only a compelling drama-cum-thriller, but a tragic cautionary tale about exploiting nature that will resonate with viewers long after its devastating climax. (JH) ****

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