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The Hunted
2003 94 min United States of America R 18+
★5.7
Drama, Action, Thriller, Crime
Director: William Friedkin
Trailers
Description
In the wilderness of British Columbia, two hunters are tracked and viciously murdered by Aaron Hallam. A former Special Operations instructor is approached and asked to apprehend Hallam—his former student—who has 'gone rogue' after suffering severe battle stress from his time in Kosovo.
Budget:
$55M
US Gross:
$34.24M
Worldwide:
$34.23M
Starring
Tommy Lee Jones
Actor
Benicio Del Toro
Actor
Connie Nielsen
Actor
Awards
2 nominations total
Key opinion
The Hunted is a polarizing thriller that pairs a high-caliber cast with a minimalist, often criticized screenplay. While audiences frequently praise the film's gritty, authentic knife combat and intense performances, many critics feel the thin plot and derivative story prevent it from reaching the heights of its genre peers.
| Acting | Benicio del Toro delivers a compelling, cold-blooded performance that anchors the film's dark tone. | |
| Direction | The combat choreography, particularly the realistic and visceral knife fights, serves as the film's standout technical achievement. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is widely considered weak and derivative, relying on tired mentor-pupil tropes and a lack of character motivation. | |
| Acting | Tommy Lee Jones is praised for his reliable portrayal of a weathered instructor, though some viewers find the physical dynamic between him and the younger antagonist implausible. | |
| Runtime | The film's lean 90-minute runtime is viewed by some as an efficient, tension-filled experience, while others perceive it as a lack of depth and emotional resonance. |