STORYLINE: A college professor finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil levels an accusation against one of her colleagues and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light. (IMDb)

    Films have a unique ability in popular culture. They have the ability to bring the audiences attention to important issues and create a discussion.  For instance climate change was the issue featured in the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow.  Of course, more uncomfortable issues, such as abuse, are featured in films such as Sleeping with the Enemy (1991).  The recent release, After the Hunt, uses its platform to discuss sexual assault.

   With the subject matter, After the Hunt is naturally a hard film to watch.  The viewer is watching the from perspective of the central character, played by Julia Roberts, as she protects her own past through the events of the film.  It’s a show of self preservation.

    Ayo Edebiri (Bottoms, The Sweet East, Opus) is the woman, who the film centers around.  The film questions her at every turn.  It was uncomfortable to watch these parts of the film.  That adds to the discussion, that the film has the potential to invoke though. 

    After the Hunt is the second film this calendar year to focus on sexual assault, following Sorry, Baby.  After the Hunt ficuses more on the culture around sexual assault, much like Promising Young Woman (2020) while Sorry, Baby focuses on how a woman reacts to the events, as time passes. 

   While I have your attention I thought I would mention the 2015 documentary The Hunting Ground.  It is an expose of sexual assault on college campuses in the U.S.  it’s an important but hard film to watch.  I do recommend it as part of the discussion.

   While difficult to watch After the Hunt is a conversation starter

   Until next time I will see you at the movies!