Hunter Hunter

Directed by Shawn Linden, Hunter Hunter follows a family of survivalist fur trappers (Devon Sawa’s Joseph, Camille Sullivan’s Anne, and Summer H. Howell’s Renee) as their hardscrabble yet peaceful existence is threatened by the encroaching appearance of a rogue wolf. Filmmaker Linden, working from his own screenplay, does a fairly spectacular job of instantly drawing the viewer into the low-key (and mostly dialogue-free) exploits of the rough-and-tumble protagonists, with the compelling atmosphere heightened by the appropriately (and irresistibly) gritty atmosphere and uniformly sterling work of the central performers. (Sullivan and Howell are both excellent here, to be sure, but it’s Sawa’s unexpectedly grizzled turn that remains a highlight, ultimately.) And although the picture segues into a decent yet comparatively sedate midsection that seems to be spinning its wheels, Hunter Hunter builds towards a progressively engrossing third act that climaxes with an absolutely jaw-dropping and spellbinding finale – which does, in the end, cement the movie’s place as a seriously impressive effort from an exceedingly promising new filmmaker.

***1/2 out of ****