Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt feels like a refined, grown-up version of a campus drama, a kind of Ivy League Dawson’s Creek dressed in philosophical debates and moral tension. Set among Yale’s elite, the story unfolds with beauty and restraint, inviting the audience into a world where intellect and emotion are constantly at odds.
Andrew Garfield delivers a stark and measured performance as Hank Gibson. His portrayal is deliberate and layered, though somewhat confined by the script. He brings a quiet gravity to the role, hinting at turmoil beneath the surface, yet never fully allowed to break free. That tension makes his character intriguing, even if it leaves the viewer wanting more.
The film struggles with a sense of narrative focus. At times it feels uncertain who the true protagonist is. Is it Hank, the accused professor, or Alma, the moral compass who must decide what justice means? This lack of clarity creates moments of detachment, where the story feels intellectually strong but emotionally distant.
Ayo Edebiri, as Maggie, provides energy but little cohesion. Her character seems disconnected from the film’s central threads, as though written to serve a purpose rather than emerge naturally from the story. The result is a performance that feels misplaced in an otherwise carefully orchestrated ensemble.
Julia Roberts, as Alma, gives the movie its emotional ballast. Her performance feels lived in, thoughtful, and precise, grounding the moral chaos surrounding her. She moves through the film with a calm authority that suggests decades of guilt and wisdom. Roberts brings an authenticity that many of her younger co-stars cannot match, reminding the viewer that stillness can be as commanding as confrontation.
Guadagnino’s craftsmanship, however, is unmistakable. His use of light, architecture, and silence transforms every corridor and classroom into an emotional landscape. The visual language of the film elevates even its most uneven moments, giving it an elegance that lingers after the credits roll.
After the Hunt is both captivating and conflicted. It explores power, truth, and redemption with artistry, but never fully commits to one emotional center. The result is a film that looks exquisite, provokes reflection, and yet remains just out of reach of greatness.
After the Hunt opens nationwide October 10th.
