Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nudity, torture, swearing in serial killer thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Huntsman
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE HUNTSMAN follows Max (Shawn Ashmore), a nurse who's tasked with taking care of Lincoln (Garret Dillahunt), the main suspect in the Huntsman murders. Max's care endears him to Lincoln's wife, sculptor Jolene (Elizabeth Mitchell), who asks Max to continue caring for Lincoln after he leaves the hospital. Max's involvement in Lincoln's life adds a new layer of difficulty for his sister, Darby (Jessy Schram), a police detective who's trying to get to the bottom of the Huntsman case.
Is It Any Good?
This moderately good slow-burn thriller does a fairly good job of keeping viewers guessing about who the titular killer really is. However, there are points in The Huntsman where it feels like the story is threatening to crawl to a complete stop. Thankfully, there are also some fun performances, particularly from Ashmore and Mitchell. Mitchell especially plays "odd" very well, adding a zany, almost campy aspect to an otherwise dark film. The jury is out on whether viewers well versed in thriller mysteries will be able to figure out the Huntsman's secret quicker than others—either way, the film does its best to create a gritty tale that titillates its audience as much as it scares them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Max's motives in The Huntsman. Why is he interested in the Huntsman case? What clue helps him realize who the Huntsman is?
How does Darby demonstrate perseverance as she tracks down the Huntsman? Why is that an important character strength?
How did the movie's violence make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 6, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : February 10, 2026
- Cast : Shawn Ashmore , Elizabeth Mitchell , Garret Dillahunt , Jessy Schram
- Director : Kyle Kauwika Harris
- Inclusion Information : Indigenous Movie Director(s) , Native American (United States) Movie Director(s) , Multiracial Movie Director(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Writer(s) , Native American (United States) Movie Writer(s) , Multiracial Movie Writer(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Writer(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Epic Pictures Group
- Genre : Thriller
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 24, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate