The Hunt

I admit, I don't like films made in the style of Dogme 95 - just like any other dogma, they limit possibilities and narrow the space for cinematic expressions. The Hunt represents a rare case where it works, and thanks to its exceptionally strong theme, we don't have to deal with the set or the language of cinema. For the movie experience, only he, his work, and his friends are enough. Nothing is and can be the same as before. Apparent certainties collapse like a house of cards, and an uncertain future remains, along with the certainty that one can only rely on oneself. Thomas Vinterberg carefully constructs his drama, building it on solid foundations and portraying his characters convincingly psychologically. From the heated clash in the church, where one would expect the scene to end with an uncompromising fight behind the church gates, the previously flawlessly functioning machinery begins to stutter somewhat. I don't believe in miraculous happy endings, even tainted by a lonely avenger. Public opinion is much quicker with its judgments than justice, and it doesn't care about the presumption of innocence. It doesn't carry out the rehabilitation of its victims, and it doesn't shy away from spreading the wildest rumors extensively. If it goes that far, there is no way back. The more passionately you defend yourself, the more suspicious you will appear to those around you. Guilt can be proven, but innocence cannot. In real life, the only solution is burning bridges and moving to an anonymous foreign environment. Sometimes retreat can mean a bitter victory. To elaborate on the fact that Mikkelsen represents one of the greatest acting talents of the current European scene would be to state the obvious. Despite certain shortcomings, I don't hesitate to give this film the highest rating. Overall impression: 90%. (04/15/2015)

A calm Nordic winter, a five-year-old femme fatale, and me, unaware of the plot or anything else, sitting in my seat in the movie theater, and knowing that in six months I am to become a teacher too. It’s pure in terms of the genre to the point where words about sliding on the surface come to mind, yet it cuts under the skin like few things have in recent memory. I haven't felt my throat this tight in a long time. (02/11/2013)

Mads Mikkelsen movies are the place to go to get wet. Sometimes it's also a pleasant surprise from another point of view. That’s what The Hunt is like. It’s a story about how our kids are getting a bit out of control. And it's not just the fundamentally democratic US that's in trouble, but the otherwise progressive Scandinavia is in the same mess. It may have started as a little film about male emancipation, but it broke down nicely into an appeal for herd restraint. (08/14/2013)

Not very rational and lacking logic and common sense, though the Nordic small town full of ordinary workers who don't think much about anything seems to be very authentic. But I would definitely not put captivating performances and a fantastic atmosphere+screenplay over the sensible use of facts and brainpower. The accusation as well as the explanation are clichés of a heavy caliber.. Nevertheless, Vinterberg is still a great director because he can turn crap into something captivating with a number of scenes, where either you get goosebumps or at least put your hand in front of your mouth and be amazed. (02/23/2015)

People are like sheep! All you have to do is throw a victim at them and they persecute and abuse it without any substantiated and credible evidence, and you have to look for any hint of humanity. The Hunt is a chilling drama set in a small town where everyone knows each other, and nothing is solved as quickly as the dirt on other people. But the hunt is for a victim who doesn't want to give up easily and be falsely smeared, so she resists with all their might. In short, a very well made and dense thriller that lacks a more shocking touch and conclusion to get a full score, when compared to, for example, the similar 2009 film Deliver Us from Evil. (12/24/2014)