A horror movie which was banned in the USA has now landed on Netflix.
The satirical horror film starring Hilary Swank and Betty Gilpin, has generated significant controversy since its initial announcement.
Centered on a plot where 12 strangers are hunted by ‘globalist elites,’ the movie has been interpreted as a sharp political commentary, depicting wealthy liberals targeting right-leaning individuals.
Despite its provocative premise, the film’s release was delayed due to political backlash and its proximity to tragic mass shootings in the United States.
Originally slated for release on September 27, 2019, the film faced intense scrutiny in the aftermath of the El Paso and Dayton shootings on August 4 of that year.
These tragedies, occurring within hours of one another and resulting in over 30 fatalities, prompted Universal Pictures to pause marketing efforts for the film.
The decision to pull its trailer and subsequently cancel the release date was made after what the studio described as ‘thoughtful consideration.’
However, the controversy surrounding the film escalated after comments from then-President Donald Trump.
Although Trump did not directly reference The Hunt, he denounced Hollywood for producing movies he claimed were intended to ‘inflame and cause chaos.’
His remarks, coupled with coverage on conservative platforms like Fox News, painted the film as a liberal attack on conservatives, further amplifying the political discourse.
Critics of the movie pointed to its use of the term ‘deplorables,’ a word famously used by Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign to describe half of Trump’s supporters.
This detail led many to interpret the film as a narrative of liberals hunting conservatives, igniting heated debates about its underlying message.
Despite the shelving of the film, its creators maintained that the story was intended as satire rather than a serious political statement.
Director Craig Zobel described the project as ‘fun, funny, and not super dark.’
Nonetheless, the climate of political polarization in the U.S. made its original release date untenable.
Seven months later, Universal announced the film’s re-release, leaning into the controversy with a new tagline: “The most talked about movie nobody has ever seen.”
The release, rescheduled for March 2020, sparked further discussion, with producer Jason Blum expressing hope that the debates surrounding the movie would draw more viewers.
While some praised the studio for their sensitivity in delaying the initial release, others criticized the irony of banning a film about violence while access to guns remained largely unregulated.
Ultimately, The Hunt stands as a polarizing cultural artifact, reflecting deep political and social divisions in the United States.
Actor Art Evans, widely recognized for his performances in A Soldier’s Story and Die Hard 2, has died at the age of 82.
His agents, LyNea Bell and Charleen McGuire, confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY on Sunday that Evans died on Saturday due to complications from diabetes, a condition he had battled for several years.
“Art was not only an incredible actor but a devoted husband, friend, and source of light to everyone who knew him,” said his wife, Babe Evans, through a statement shared by his representatives.
“His laughter, passion, and love of life will be deeply missed. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the legacy of joy and inspiration he leaves behind.”
Plans for memorial services will be announced in the coming days.
Born Arthur James Evans in Berkeley, California, the actor began his career with a leading role in James Baldwin’s play The Amen Corner at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being in Los Angeles.
The production later moved to Broadway in 1965, marking Evans’ debut on a larger stage.
He also appeared in uncredited roles in films during the early 1970s before earning a lead role in the 1975 TV movie The Orphan and the Dude as Curtis ‘The Dude’ Brown.
Evans built a varied career throughout the 1970s and 1980s with appearances in television series and films such as Leadbelly (1976), Youngblood (1978), MASH* (1979), The Fall Guy (1983), and Hill Street Blues (1981-1984).
His breakout film role came in the critically acclaimed A Soldier’s Story (1984), where he portrayed Private Wilkie.
The film earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
In 1986, Evans joined the cast of the sitcom Nine to Five, based on the popular movie of the same name.
He appeared alongside Rita Moreno, Sally Struthers, and Rachel Parton George through the show’s run until 1988.
Later, he made a memorable appearance in Die Hard 2 (1990) as Barnes, an air traffic control worker who assists Bruce Willis’ character, John McClane.
Evans continued to work steadily in television, with roles in series such as Doogie Howser, M.D. (1990), Family Matters (1994), Walker, Texas Ranger (1996), The X-Files (2000), and Monk (2006).
His final credited role was as a voice actor in Disney+’s The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in 2022 and 2023.
“Art was a remarkable talent who touched many lives with his work. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” Bell and McGuire noted in their statement.
Evans is survived by his wife, Babe, and their son, Ogadae.
