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The Controversial Timeline: When Was The Hunt Released And Why Did It Spark A National Firestorm?

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The 2020 action-horror film The Hunt finally saw its theatrical release on March 13, 2020, but this date tells only a fraction of the story behind one of the most controversial and delayed Blumhouse productions in recent memory. The movie, a satirical social thriller about elites hunting "deplorables," was originally slated for a late 2019 debut before being pulled from the schedule entirely amid a national firestorm of political outrage and real-world tragedy. The ultimate irony of its release is that after surviving months of controversy, its theatrical run was immediately—and fatally—cut short by the global onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cementing its place as a fascinating case study in modern media and politics.

The film’s journey to the screen is a dramatic timeline of cultural collision, political criticism, and unprecedented global events. Released by Universal Pictures, the movie is a modern, hyper-political take on the classic short story "The Most Dangerous Game," starring Betty Gilpin as the unexpected hero, Crystal May. Its turbulent path from a planned September 2019 premiere to its eventual, ill-fated March 2020 debut is a crucial part of its legacy, overshadowing even its mixed critical reception.

The Architects of Anarchy: Key Personnel and Cast Biographies

The polarizing nature of The Hunt is largely attributable to the creative team behind it, known for crafting complex, often divisive, and deeply philosophical narratives. The film was produced by Blumhouse Productions, a studio famous for high-concept horror and thrillers.

The Writers: Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse

  • Damon Laurence Lindelof (Screenwriter/Producer): Born April 24, 1973, in Teaneck, New Jersey. Lindelof is a celebrated and often controversial figure in television and film, known for complex, mystery-driven narratives. His most notable works include co-creating the groundbreaking series Lost (2004–2010), and creating the critically acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers (2014–2017) and Watchmen (2019). His involvement immediately signaled that The Hunt would be more than just a simple action flick, but a biting piece of social commentary.
  • Nick Cuse (Screenwriter): A frequent collaborator with Lindelof, Cuse also worked on The Leftovers and contributes to the sharp, satirical edge of the script.

The Director: Craig Zobel

  • Roger Craig Zobel (Director): An American filmmaker and actor, Zobel is known for tackling uncomfortable, challenging subject matter. His notable directing credits include the unsettling 2012 psychological thriller Compliance, the post-apocalyptic drama Z for Zachariah, and acclaimed television work on series like Mare of Easttown and The Leftovers. Zobel’s style often focuses on intense, character-driven tension, which was perfectly suited for the satirical horror of The Hunt.

The Star: Betty Gilpin

  • Elizabeth "Betty" Gilpin (Actress): Born July 21, 1986, Gilpin is an Emmy, Critics' Choice, and SAG Award-nominated American actress. She is best known for her role as Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan in the Netflix comedy series GLOW (2017–2019). Her performance as the tough, pragmatic protagonist Crystal May in The Hunt earned her significant praise, showcasing her range beyond comedy. Other notable credits include Nurse Jackie, Gaslit, and Three Women.

The Original Release Date and the Unprecedented Delay

The film’s original, intended release date was set for September 27, 2019. The marketing campaign, which featured cryptic taglines and provocative imagery, was already underway, building anticipation for the new "social thriller" from Blumhouse, a subgenre they pioneered with hits like Get Out.

The Mass Shootings and Political Backlash

The first major blow to the film’s schedule occurred in early August 2019. Following the tragic mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, a national conversation about gun violence and violent media erupted. Critics and commentators began to draw parallels between the film's premise—wealthy elites hunting "ordinary" Americans—and the divisive political climate.

The controversy intensified when then-President Donald Trump publicly criticized the film, referring to it as "racist" and claiming it was made to "cause chaos." Although the movie’s satirical intent was to mock both political extremes, the public perception, fueled by early, out-of-context leaks and the political rhetoric, painted it as a dangerous, politically charged piece of media.

In response to the escalating public and political pressure, Universal Pictures made the unprecedented decision to halt the marketing campaign and ultimately pulled the film from its September 2019 release schedule entirely. This move was a clear attempt to de-escalate the controversy and show sensitivity to the national tragedies, leaving the film's fate uncertain.

The Second Chance: The March 13, 2020, Release

After months of sitting on the shelf, Universal Pictures announced a new, definitive release date: March 13, 2020. The studio relaunched the marketing with a new, self-aware campaign that leaned into the controversy, using taglines like "The most talked about movie of the year is one that no one has seen." This strategy aimed to convert the previous negative publicity into curious viewership, positioning the film as a forbidden piece of commentary. The film was now framed as a satirical horror that challenged the political divide, rather than fueling it.

The Irony of the COVID-19 Impact

The film’s hard-won second chance proved to be short-lived due to an entirely unforeseen global crisis. The Hunt opened on Friday, March 13, 2020, in the United States, just as the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic began to hit the nation. That same weekend, major public health warnings were issued, and within days, cities and states began implementing widespread lockdowns, leading to the mass closure of movie theaters across the country.

The timing was devastating. After opening to a modest $5.3 million domestically, the film’s theatrical run was immediately truncated. With theaters closing, Universal Pictures quickly pivoted, making the film available for home video and digital rental just one week after its theatrical debut, a move that was unprecedented at the time but soon became the industry standard during the pandemic. This quick shift to VOD (Video On Demand) allowed the film to recoup some of its $14 million budget, but it completely shattered its box office potential. The film’s final worldwide box office gross was significantly under what was expected for a Blumhouse production, making it a financial casualty of the pandemic's earliest days.

Legacy and Critical Reception

Despite the box office disappointment, the film garnered a mixed but generally positive critical reception. Many critics praised the sharp writing of Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse, the tight direction by Craig Zobel, and especially the standout, breakout performance by Betty Gilpin.

  • Critical Consensus: The film holds a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers noted its clever twists, high-octane action, and willingness to satirize both the "coastal elite" and the "MAGA crowd."
  • The Satire: The movie’s central theme—the danger of political generalization and the futility of the "culture war"—was ultimately seen as a potent, if messy, piece of satire. The film argues that both sides of the political spectrum are equally guilty of stereotyping and dehumanizing the other, a message that was perhaps too nuanced for the highly polarized environment of 2019 and 2020.
  • The Controversy's Impact: Ironically, the intense, pre-release controversy had the unintended effect of making the movie seem far more extreme and politically biased than the final product proved to be. The film’s delay and subsequent early VOD release cemented its status as a cultural artifact—a movie whose real-world story is arguably as compelling as its fictional plot.

In summary, the answer to "when was The Hunt released" is not just March 13, 2020. It is a story of a release that was first blocked by a political firestorm in September 2019 and then defeated by a global pandemic in the spring of 2020, making it a quintessential, and often overlooked, film of its time.

The Controversial Timeline: When Was The Hunt Released and Why Did It Spark a National Firestorm?
when was the hunt released
when was the hunt released

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