The Hunt

A man’s (Mads Mikkelsen) life in a close-knit Danish community falls apart when he is falsely accused of sexually abusing a small child.

It’s worrying how realistic this film is. It doesn’t take much for people to jump on a bandwagon, and when mass-hysteria sets in people seem to become blind to reason.

The crossed-wires theme feels like a Hitchcock film. Things happen in such a way that even the accusers are not to blame. However, we know for a fact that Mikkelsen’s character is innocent and so it’s all the more petrifying to think about.

The location adds to the feeling of tension and desperation. It’s dark and rural, and we quickly learn that news spreads like wildfire.

For such a well made film on all fronts, it’s a shame Vinterberg fudges the ending a little. I don’t want to give too much away but he sort-of plays it safe. It’s disappointing.

Part cautionary tale, part ‘wrong man’ story, The Hunt is a brilliant, chilling, thought provoking film.