The Hunt Continues: Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield’s Controversial Thriller Finds New Life on Streaming
Darlings, let’s talk about the film that had Venice buzzing—and not always in harmony. Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, the psychological thriller that sparked more debate than consensus among critics at its Venice Film Festival premiere, is making its streaming debut this week. And if you missed its brief theatrical moment, consider this your second chance at witnessing what may well be one of the year’s most polarizing cinematic experiences.
Julia Roberts commands the screen as Alma Imhoff, a Yale philosophy professor navigating the treacherous waters of academic ambition while pursuing tenure at the institution where intellectual prowess meets institutional politics. But just as her professional ascent seems assured, her meticulously constructed world begins to fracture. The catalyst? A devastating accusation from her brilliant young protégé Maggie (played with fierce intelligence by Ayo Edebiri) against Hank, Alma’s longtime colleague and confidant, portrayed with characteristic intensity by Andrew Garfield.
The allegation of sexual assault becomes the match that ignites a powder keg of loyalty, complicity, and buried truths. Nora Garrett’s screenplay doesn’t offer easy answers or comfortable resolutions—instead, it forces Alma into an impossible position between solidarity and self-preservation, especially as shadows from her own past threaten to emerge into unforgiving daylight.
What makes this narrative particularly compelling is its refusal to play by conventional thriller rules. This isn’t a whodunit so much as a “who-knew-what-when,” a meditation on moral compromise dressed in the sleek clothing of a psychological drama. The R-rated film features a supporting ensemble that includes the incomparable Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny, both adding layers of complexity to an already intricate moral tapestry.
Yet despite its pedigree—a production budget hovering between $70-80 million, a world premiere at Venice, and a director known for pushing boundaries—After the Hunt struggled to find its theatrical audience. Its October 10 release, which began limited before expanding wide, garnered a disappointing $3.2 million domestically, with international returns barely pushing the total past $9 million. Numbers that sting, regardless of critical conversation.
But here’s where the story takes an intriguing turn: the Gotham Film & Media Institute just announced that Guadagnino and Roberts will receive the 2025 Visionary Tribute at the 35th annual Gotham Film Awards on December 1. The honor recognizes “groundbreaking collaborations that push the boundaries of storytelling in film”—a validation that suggests perhaps box office receipts don’t tell the complete story.
The recognition places them in distinguished company; last year’s recipients were James Mangold and Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown. It’s an acknowledgment that risk-taking deserves celebration, even when audiences don’t immediately respond.
Meanwhile, Guadagnino continues his creative momentum, already deep in prep for Artificial with Amazon MGM Studios—an AI-focused comedic drama reuniting him with Andrew Garfield and featuring an enviable ensemble including Mary Rylance, Monica Barbaro, and Jason Schwartzman. The director, it seems, has little interest in playing it safe.
