The Hunt
How one lie can destroy an entire community.
Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt is a uncomfortably tense film; one that fills you with anger, sadness and emptiness. We watch as an entire town of people is affected by an unspeakable accusation; one that will tear apart relationships and leave everyone forever changed.
The cinematography is quiet and subtle. It's grounded in realism; capturing this small and tranquil town as it becomes an isolating place. The camera moves methodically; slowly unravelling itself to the growing nightmare that Lucas finds himself in. It lingers uncomfortably; forcing us to witness each agonising moment as these people fold in on themselves.
Mad Mikkelsen delivers his finest performance. He communicates anguish and loneliness with such subtlely; it's absolutely heartbreaking. Thomas Bo Larsen is amazing. His performance is placed in a tug of war; one of protective rage for his daughter and the betrayed loyalty of his friend. Annika Wedderkomp is astounding. Her perfomance is one of confusion and trauma; struggling to make sense of the lie she created in a time of vulnerability.
Anne Louise Hassing is incredible. Her performance is very much filled with resentment and rage; but is deeply empathetic. Lasse Fogelstrøm is great. His perfomance is bitter but emotional; helping to prove his father's innocence. Susse Wold and Alexandra Rapaport are also fantastic. Wold is strong but rockeed by the accusations whilst Rapaport is kind and understanding; but is ultimately tested by the accusations.
The score is used minimally throughout. It's pensive and melancholic; like a ghost wandering a town without hope or unity. It relies heavily on silence; allowing the scenes to speak for themselves and not be influenced by the score.
This film doesn't try to vilify anyone. If anything; it showcases the injustices of this community and the morally grey nature of humanity. Lucas is an innocent man who is wrongly accused of a vile act. He becomes isolated from his friends and family; put through immense psychological and physical torment by those who used to be his friends. He is a victim. But, so is Klara.
Klara conceived the lie but I don't blame her. She's a child who's been through trauma and neglect. Her brother 'jokingly' shoves porn in her face; her parents argue violently about who's taking her to school and she's left alone most of the time. So when Lucas rejects her gift in a moment of vulnerability; she reflects her pain with a lie. When she tries to rectify her actions; the adults pressure her into believing and recounting the lie rather than getting to the bottom of her pain. She is a victim. But so are the adults.
The adults all believe Klara and I don't blame them. They ridicule themselves for not being able to stop such an act from occuring. They chastise Lucas for betraying their trust and committing one of the most horrible sins. Their sense of community now; completely shattered as they must reconcile with the damage and build hope in a world of despair. They are victims.
In the world of The Hunt, there are no winners. Injustices can easily turn an entire community to fold in on itself; leaving an empty void where there was once happiness.
"Look into my eyes. Look me in the eyes. What do you see? Do you see anything? Nothing. There's nothing. There's nothing."
10/10