After the Hunt, Andrew Garfield responds to criticism of Guadagnino’s film

The new film by Luca Guadagnino, After the Huntreleased in theaters on October 10, quickly divided audiences and critics. Despite a high-profile cast that includes Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Michael Stuhlbarg and Ayo Edebiri, the film received mixed reviews.

Many critics have highlighted an alleged lack of incisiveness in addressing the issue of sexual violence. Even the well-known critic Bill Bria of /Film expressed a rather lukewarm opinion.

In an exclusive interview with the Radio Times, Garfield and Edebiri spoke openly about the response to the film, offering reflections that balance diplomacy and authenticity. “It’s rare to work on a project where there’s no consensus,” Garfield explained. “And there is something liberating in seeing that everyone has their own interpretation of the work. This stimulates conversations and growth, even personal growth.” The actor added that, for those who create, unanimous praise can even be boring. Different reactions, however, are what makes a project truly alive.

Ayo Edebiri, famous for The Bear series, offered a similar point of view. For her, the film was an opportunity for deep reflection on one’s own experiences and beliefs. “Working with Luca and the rest of the cast pushed me to confront my personal experiences,” she said. The long discussions on set regarding the delicate topic of sexual violence allowed Edebiri to construct a conscious and intense interpretation, which reflects the complexities of the subject treated.

But what is After the Hunt really about? The story follows Alma Imhoff (Julia Roberts) (find out which actress she felt intimidated by on set), a college professor who returns to work after a medical leave and hosts a dinner with her husband Frederik (Michael Stuhlbarg), Hank Gibson (Garfield) and doctoral student Maggie Resnick (Edebiri). When Maggie reports being attacked by Hank, Alma tries to manage the situation, but her actions end up complicating the relationship between the protagonists. The story explores fragilities, prejudices and the difficulties of dealing with delicate situations in personal and professional contexts.

Despite critics accusing the film of being “timid” in addressing sexual violence, Garfield and Edebiri defend their work. For Garfield, the public reaction is enlightening: “Responses to the film often reflect the viewers’ personal experiences. It’s like a mirror of the spectators’ lives.” For Edebiri, the value of the project lies not only in the final result, but also in the creative path that allowed them to deal with difficult themes in depth.

An interesting aspect is that, according to the actors, the film has a specific purpose: do not provide simple or definitive answers, but stimulate reflection and discussion. “Being part of a work that provokes different opinions is inspiring,” said Garfield, noting that this type of project is rare in contemporary cinema.

After the Hunt is now in theaters, ready to generate debate and comparison. It’s not an easy film, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It aims to challenge viewers’ perceptions and highlight the complexity of human relationships and power dynamics. The message from the actors is clear: the film must not be judged only by critics, but must be experienced, observed and discussed.

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