Luca Guadagnino is a veteran of the Venice International Film Festival, and this year presents a drama out of competition.After the Hunt stars Hollywood icon Julia Roberts as its lead. The cast also features Andrew Garfield, in what promises to be a controversial role, and the increasingly sought-after Ayo Edebiri, known for her work in The Bear. Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny also return, for their third and second collaborations respectively, with today’s moast internationally recognized Italian director.
After the Hunt marks the first screenplay from actress Nora Garret, tackling timely and relevant issues under Guadagnino’s direction. The story unfolds within the privileged setting of Yale University, where Maggia, a wealthy Black gay student played by Ayo Edebiri, accuses Professor hank (Andrew Garfield) of sexual violence. Caught in the middle, unwittingly, is Professor Alma Anville, a blonde Julia Roberts, a trusted friend to both, who finds herself questioning who to believe.
The film opens on an evening at the home of Alma and her psychologist husband, Frederik Olsson, portrayed with excellence by Michael Stuhlbarg. Following a dinner hosted by the couple, a discussion unfolds amongst colleagues, touching on everything from personal ambitions to the feminist generational gap. this scene introduces all the protagonists, hinting at the crime that will occur later that night, though never explicitly shown. The following day, still shaken, maggia confides in Alma about the professor’s alleged actions. However, the plot is far from simple or linear, avoiding the straightforward structure of a classic Law & Order episode with its investigation and verdict. This is a Guadagnino-directed drama and thriller that aims to provoke, even casting doubt on the victim, and sparking a broader generational discourse.
(L to R) Julia Roberts as Alma, Michael Stuhlbarg as Frederik and Chloë Sevigny as Dr. Kim Sayers in AFTER THE HUNT, from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. © 2025 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.