My impeccable forward planning sees this film in my F&S calendar to post today but without any clue as to why.
It’s not an “on this day” post and it doesn’t seem to be a new arrival on any streaming services.
Not to worry, it’s worth a look regardless. I reviewed it for the Capital Times in March 20121 – the always reliable Willem Dafoe alongside the always reliable Sam Neill in a uniquely Australian story:
In The Hunter, Willem Dafoe plays a mysterious dude commissioned by a multinational drug company to find the last Tasmanian Tiger. His secret mission takes him into the wilderness, above the battle between conservationists and loggers over native forest, but he’s not the only one after the supposedly extinct – and frankly bizarre – animal. Extremely well made, tense as all get out, only let down by an ending that tries to tie up every single loose end when it doesn’t have to, The Hunter is easy to miss but worth seeking out.
Also in that Capital Times review: the first Hunger Games film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the 21 Jump Street reboot (“The other notable aspect of the picture is that I’m starting to see the potential in Channing Tatum. As his partner, Jonah Hill’s range is not so extended.”), Gareth Evans’ The Raid (recommended here back in February last year) and the documentary, In Search of Haydn.
Where to watch The Hunter
Aotearoa: Digital rental from AroVision
Australia: Digital rental
Canada: Digital rental from Google or YouTube
Ireland: Digital rental
India: Not currently available
USA: Streaming on Hulu or Kanopy
UK: Streaming on Curzon
Further listening
English thriller writer Len Deighton passed away this week at the age of 97. Back in September 2024, I spoke with RNZ Nights’ Emile Donovan about British spies on screen and Michael Caine’s three-film run as Deighton’s sardonic working class secret agent Harry Palmer was one of my highlights.
The Imprint Blu-ray boxset that I was talking about there is still available from Madman in Australia (and in New Zealand from a TradeMe seller who appears to be selling new copies of almost every DVD and Blu-ray that was ever available here).
- Ah, maybe that was the reason. It didn’t get posted until May that year. I clearly allowed myself to get a long way behind. ↩︎
