The Head Hunter
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Medieval fantasy movie has bloody violence and horror.
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The Head Hunter
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What's the Story?
THE HEAD HUNTER follows a character known only as Father (Christopher Rygh) a medieval huntsman who lives alone and off of the land, grieving for his murdered daughter. His occasional battles with surrounding evil forces escalate when a more dangerous monster -- one of his daughter's murderers -- returns to the area.
Is It Any Good?
The most impressive thing about this movie is that it was made for only $30,000 and shot across two countries using minimal cast and crew. Channeling the windswept, wintry look of Game of Thrones, it creates a vivid sense of place on a budget. Rygh also does a good job carrying The Head Hunter with his portrayal of a grieving father who must also literally fight for survival.
What's lacking, though, is a stronger plot and proper explanation of the world in which the events unfold. Father spends barely any time consulting the texts that describe the occult and dark magic that presumably power the monsters, demons, and zombies that terrorize him and that are responsible for the death of his daughter. As a result, the audience is left to do a lot of the heavy lifting when trying to follow what Father is doing and why. The short run time of just over 70 minutes adds to the lightweight feel. While clearly the work of several talented individuals, the end result is a frustrating watch. With a bit more of Father's voiceover for guidance, this could've been an indie gem that doesn't, in places, lose its head.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Head Hunter. Do the blood and gore seem over the top? Do the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Does the fact the violence takes place in a fantasy world change how you feel about it? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss how grief is portrayed in the movie. Father finds it difficult to express his emotions about his daughter's death. How does losing someone you love affect different people in different ways? How can communication help? Why is it important to find someone to talk to when you feel upset about something?
The movie was made on a very limited budget with few characters and very little dialogue. Did you notice the difference between this movie and big-budget Hollywood blockbusters?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 5, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: May 7, 2019
- Cast: Aisha Ricketts, Cora Kaufman, Christopher Rygh
- Director: Jordan Downey
- Studio: Vertical Entertainment
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 72 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 6, 2023
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