Hunting Grounds (2024)

Hunting Grounds (2024)

Yet another film known as Prey (particularly in French-speaking countries), as if there weren’t enough already!!!

As I wrote about the terrible Edmond (2005): if you want to see this film for Mena Suvari, be aware that she only appears for five minutes.

Ryan Phillippe isn’t an actor I adore, but he’s more than adequate. I admit that I’m still delighted that he’s in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Breach (2007), Crash (2004), Cruel Intentions (1999), Wish Upon (2017), and Antitrust (2001). Yes, that’s a lot! Let’s just say… I wouldn’t go see a movie for him, but I’m relatively happy to see him.

Mukunda Michael Dewil had already directed The Immaculate Room (2022) with Emile Hirsch, who is really excellent here! He’s always a good actor, but I didn’t love either of these two films.

Hunting Grounds offers us magnificent landscapes and it’s a treat to see all these wild animals. The length and slowness don’t bother me too much here. But it’s more the level of credibility that leaves something to be desired.

The film isn’t spectacular. There are no slow-motion scenes, no heroes who escape with a pirouette or by throwing a weapon from a distance and hitting their target. In that respect, the director has managed to make the film quite natural. But I don’t think you can go so long without water and be so lucky with all those dangerous animals and creatures. Furthermore, it’s hard to believe that people with bad intentions would suddenly want to redeem themselves. Or make peace with people they’ve fought with. But I remain aware that in these moments of survival, anything can happen. But it’s hard to understand what you haven’t experienced yourself.

A good movie, with some moments more boring than others, worth seeing once. I don’t think it’s worth owning this movie or watching it multiple times.