Julia Roberts made her Venice Film Festival debut with Luca Guadagnino’s psychological thriller “After the Hunt,” and the reception has been anything but quiet. The film sparked immediate controversy among critics and journalists for its handling of sexual assault allegations, with Roberts defending the provocative narrative during heated press conferences.
After the Hunt Tackles #MeToo with Bold Ambiguity
Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers) and written by debut screenwriter Nora Garrett, “After the Hunt” follows philosophy professor Alma (Roberts) caught between her star student Maggie (Ayo Edebiri) and colleague Hank (Andrew Garfield) when sexual assault accusations surface. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios with Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Allan Mandelbaum, the film deliberately avoids taking sides in the controversy.
The controversial element stems from the film’s refusal to definitively support either the accuser or accused. When confronted about this during the press conference, Roberts fired back: “We are challenging people to have conversation. To be excited or infuriated about it is up to you”. She added that audiences are “losing the art of conversation in humanity right now,” positioning the film as necessary provocation.
Venice Reception and Oscar Despite Backlash
“After the Hunt” received a six-minute standing ovation at its world premiere, with critics already predicting Oscar nominations for Roberts’ performance. The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin called it “her finest work in years,” while The Times boldly forecasted an Academy Award nomination. However, some critics expressed reservations about the film’s moral positioning.
Screen Daily’s Nikki Baughan argued the film “positions itself before any meaningful discourse,” while IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzino noted it “aspires for moral ambiguity but ends up starkly moralistic”. Despite mixed critical reception, Roberts’ performance is generating significant awards season buzz.
Filmed with a 139-minute runtime and featuring Michael Stuhlbarg, “After the Hunt” opens the New York Film Festival on September 26 before its nationwide theatrical release on October 10. Sony Pictures handles international distribution for this Amazon MGM Studios production, positioning it strategically for awards season consideration.
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