PremiumHunt Review: Even with its flaws, this Bhavana film manages to hold viewers hooked for a while
Hunt Review - Shaji Kailas' films are being watched again because of their gripping plots and performances. It is unlikely, though, that Hunt would provide the filmmaker with the long-overdue success.
Last Updated: 07.11 PM, Aug 23, 2024
Hunt Story: Dr Keerthy, a PG medical student specialising in forensics, is working on a case involving a woman who was brutally murdered years ago and, by means of unexplained circumstances, finds herself connected to the victim. Is an entity out for revenge haunting her, or is she just having hallucinations? What is the real story behind the murder of the mysterious victim?
Hunt Review: In Malayalam cinema, Shaji Kailas is a formidable director whose films are being watched again because of their gripping plots and intense performances. It is unlikely, though, that Hunt would fall into this group or provide the filmmaker with the long-overdue success he deserves.
A forensics postgraduate medical student named Dr Keerthy works on a case involving a woman who had been murdered years ago. But as odd things start to happen to her, she starts to doubt her strong confidence in science and, via bizarre events, discovers that she is related to the victim. Things take a shocking turn at this point. Keerthy uncovers a startling collection of details while searching for the truth by running into acquaintances of the victim. The central storyline element of the film is how Keerthy is related to the victim and what the actual story behind the murder is.
With its intriguing and unsettling components, the filmmakers have undoubtedly made enough effort to keep the audience interested and on the edge of their seats for a considerable amount of time. The film's strong point is that it only lasts two hours, which prevents viewers from getting bored. The movie stays more on the medical thriller side, however, there are a few jarring moments.
The rest of the characters do not contribute much to the story other than acting as props to create an eerie impression and as a means of advancing the plot, but Bhavana does a credible job. Much as in Shaji Kailas' Chinthamani Kolacase, the makers have likewise succeeded in evoking a spooky atmosphere around a medical campus.
In several ways, the story and the characters are shallow, making it difficult for the audience to connect with or sympathise with them at any time. Even though the film starts off with an engaging perspective, it ultimately becomes the desperate attempts of the filmmakers to put forward an unexpected figure as the real foe or murderer and to create an exciting ending. The scary elements fail to blend nicely when they should with the majority of cliche aspects of a horror thriller.
Hunt Verdict: Although it may not have all the captivating elements that viewers would anticipate from a Shaji Kailas film, it is nevertheless worth seeing once for those who enjoy watching a horror thriller once in a while.