There’s a moment in After the Hunt when Julia Roberts lets out that iconic laugh — the same radiant sound that once lit up Pretty Woman. It’s brief, but unforgettable. That single moment reminds us why Roberts remains one of Hollywood’s most magnetic stars.
Directed by the ever-stylish Luca Guadagnino, After the Hunt may not be a perfect film, but it’s worth watching for Roberts alone. This is her strongest and most layered performance since Erin Brockovich—and that’s saying something.
A Dark Look at Power and Morality
Roberts plays Alma Imhoff, a philosophy professor at Yale whose intellect is matched only by her emotional distance. Alma is respected, admired, and feared. Her closest circle includes a promising Ph.D. student, Maggie (Ayo Edebiri from The Bear), and a charming fellow professor, Hank (Andrew Garfield).
Everything seems controlled until one night at a dinner party. What begins as academic banter quickly spirals into tension, ego, and subtle hostility. The next day, Maggie accuses Hank of sexual assault — and suddenly, Alma is caught between truth, loyalty, and reputation.
A Moral Minefield
The film dives headfirst into themes of consent, privilege, and generational conflict. The script by Nora Garrett cleverly toys with audience perception. Is Maggie telling the truth? Is Alma protecting an old friend — or herself?
Guadagnino layers the story with intrigue and elegance. His lush cinematography, combined with rich dialogue, creates an atmosphere that’s both seductive and unsettling.
Andrew Garfield plays against type as Hank — arrogant, vulnerable, and menacing in equal measure. Ayo Edebiri brings edge and complexity to Maggie, a character whose motives are never entirely clear.
But it’s Julia Roberts who commands every frame. Her performance is nuanced and deeply human — torn between empathy and denial, reason and guilt.
A Melodrama with Meaning
While After the Hunt flirts with soap-opera intensity, Guadagnino uses that melodrama to mirror real-world complexity. Set in the pre-backlash #MeToo era of 2019, the film becomes a time capsule — capturing a cultural moment when justice and ambiguity were locked in uneasy coexistence.
Despite its flaws, the movie sparks reflection. Can we ever truly separate truth from perception? Can progress survive when morality itself is up for debate?
The Verdict
After the Hunt may not satisfy everyone, but it’s a haunting conversation starter — a stylish, cerebral drama anchored by Julia Roberts at her absolute best. Her laughter may fade quickly, but her performance will echo long after the credits roll.
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