Hunt Club is not being rated highly on aggregate sites. As an Uncork’d action-thriller featuring a tired and uninspired narrative there is every chance it is deserving of such low results. However, if you are a fan of low-cost horror and titles like The Hunt, Ready or Not, or Happy Hunting, chances are this indie battler film will scratch that itch.
The casting is surprisingly well-equipped with Mena Suvari (American Beauty) leading the charge as Cassandra. Her mission is to uncover and infiltrate a family-orientated dick-swinging contest where the men need to prove their manliness. Mickey Rourke (Sin City), Casper Van Dien (Mad Heidi), and, Jason London (Dazed and Confused) serve as amiable supporting cast who are simply there to ensure that toxic masculinity is alive and well. Hunt Club sets itself apart from other films of this ilk by being unapologetically A-OK with a hierarchy of dudes luring women to a remote island under the prevue of assaulting them, keeping them captive, and then releasing them into the wild so that they can be dutifully hunted down as sport.
Mena Suvari and Mickey Rourke Star in Hunt Club
But it’s not like we haven’t been here before. Australian horror movie, The Furies tackled this byline as did the USA franchise Hostel in a similar fashion. Hunt Club throws in an extra bargaining chip of the offer of $ 100,000 to be part of the alpha male squad. Doubling as a revenge film, Cassandra and her girlfriend dupe the father and son team Carter and Jackson into thinking they fought in the middle of the cafe. With nowhere to go, Jackson invites Cassandra to join them. Little do they know there is a cat amongst the cowboy boot-wearing pigeons.
Performances in this production surpassed expectations, despite a few critical reviews. One standout was Will Pelzt’s portrayal of Jackson, a conflicted character torn between his instincts and his conscience. Pelzt delivered an excellent performance, capturing the essence of a person who hesitates to harm others but finds it difficult to resist. Additionally, a commendable aspect of the writing team, David Lipper and John Saunders, was their decision to minimize the focus on Jackson’s redemption. This added a layer of complexity to the story and made it more compelling. While the overall plot may seem predictable, Jackson’s character arc was undeniably satisfying. Exploring his growth and internal struggle was a highlight of the tightly paced runtime.
It’s worth noting that the action sequences and fight scenes may not be on par with professional standards. However, if you find yourself engrossed in the story or multitasking, these imperfections are easily overlooked. Additionally, the special effects are handled in a way that makes the film accessible to even the most faint-hearted viewers, serving their intended purpose effectively.
Watch Hunt Club Free on TubiTv
Released on July 13, 2013, Hunt Club is not your typical upmarket fancy pants film where people are hunted for sport. This raw and gritty movie is all about delivering swift retribution, with a strong focus on female empowerment. Although it didn’t hit the big screens, you can still enjoy the semi-adrenaline-fueled action and storyline of Hunt Club. The movie went straight to DVD, making it accessible to film enthusiasts everywhere. And here’s the best part: you can stream it for free on TubiTv.
In Hunt Club, justice takes center stage, and the hunt is on.
Hunt Club is rated
2.5 Don’t expect naked women because there wasn’t enough money in the budget out of 5
