A satirical horror-thriller that got banned because it was too controversial for the U.S. is finally streaming on Netflix. Directed by Craig Zobel, the horror film was initially slated for release in September 2019. However, the masterpiece gathered a lot of controversy since its initial announcement. So much so the Universal Pictures postponed its debut because of the sensitive situation and political backlash.
The movie’s plot is centered on a group of strangers who wake up in a remote location, only to discover they are being hunted by a group of wealthy elites for “sport”. It is a thrilling satirical commentary on class, politics and social stereotypes with twists and dark humor. This plot sparked backlash from both conservative and liberal commentators, as the movie was seen as exacerbating the then political condition of the United States. The same year in 2019, the United States experienced two tragic mass shootings resulting in heightened sensitivities around violence in media. Because of its violent and satirical premise and close proximity to mass shooting, the film’s release was deemed inappropriate amidst the sensitive circumstances and was delayed.

However, the controversy surrounding the film escalated when the then president Donald Trump tweeted about Hollywood being racist and accused the films for trying to incite division. Although he didn’t mention the name of the film, it was widely interpreted as a reference to The Hunt. His remarks painted the film as a liberal attack on conservatives. The political discourse further amplified as the Critics of the movie pointed out the use of the word “deplorable” in the movie. This term was used by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign to refer to some of Donald Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.” This created a perception that the movie was politically charged and sparked outrage from both sides of the political spectrum.
Despite the political framing, film makers emphasized the story was not intended to be a serious political statement but a satire. Director Craig Zobel described the film as ‘fun, funny, and not super dark.’

After delaying the release for seven long months, “The Hunt” premiered in March 2020 with the tagline, “The most talked-about movie nobody has ever seen”. Despite its polarized controversy and delay in release, the film grossed over $12 million worldwide.
As of January 2025, “The Hunt” is available for streaming on Netflix for people to watch and assess the film firsthand. The availability of the film on Netflix has sparked the discussion online again about the theme of the movie and the controversy around its initial release.