PopHorror Let's Get Scared
“Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf?”
Hunted is the live-action, English-language, and solo directorial debut for acclaimed French filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud (Cannes Jury Prize Winner Persepolis, Chicken With Plums). Co-written by Paronnaud alongside Léa Pernollet, the film stars Magritte Award-winning actors Lucie Debay (The Confession) and Arieh Worthalter (Girl), with Ciaran O’Brien rounding out the intimate main cast.
Synopsis for Hunted
What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve (Lucie Debay) becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive in the wilderness—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge.
I love a modern take on a classic fairytale, and Hunted takes Little Red Riding Hood to a whole new level. The subtle references to Little Red Riding Hood, like Eve’s red jacket, were perfect. This film is radical, brutal, and extreme in all aspects. Eve’s fun night out quickly turns upside down when some innocent flirting leads to her being hunted by a misogynistic asshole in the woods far away from home. From beginning to end, she’s in fight or flight mode, and she never gives up. Hunted is the ultimate story of survival.
Lucie Debay is incredible in this film. Her character, Eve, goes through hell and back, and somehow musters the strength to fight back against all odds. It’s a challenging performance but one that is delivered effortlessly and with powerful emotions and strength. Arieh Worthalter plays the ultimate bad guy and doesn’t miss a beat. His character constantly pushes the limits of “how far is too far” and makes everything incredibly cringeworthy and uncomfortable. Simone Milsdochter may have had a small role, but I love her character and her performance leaves a lasting impression.
Hunted is one giant game of cat and mouse. As soon as Eve gets in the car in the beginning, the atmosphere rapidly changes, and all the hope and happiness that was once there… disappears. Dread and regret become prominent and suffocating as you know bad shit is about to go down. The intensity of this never lets up and lasts throughout this entire story. It’s also bloody, gory, with some pretty awesome kill scenes like an arrow through the head!
Final Thoughts
This is the perfect thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hunted is now exclusively streaming on Shudder, so be sure to check it out!
