Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Young Hunter (El Cazador) is a tense drama about a teenager who falls in love with an older boy, then discovers a more sinister plot behind the romance.
Ezequiel (Juan Pablo Cestaro) is a teenager hungry for sexual adventure. When he meets Mono (Lautaro Rodríguez) at a skate park, the two exchange phone numbers and agree to meet up.
Soon Ezequiel and Mono get romantically involved. When Mono introduces Ezequiel to Chino (Juan Barberini), who has a place where they can spend the night, things begin to change. Soon Mono starts acting distant, and not long after that, Ezequiel discovers that there is something more sinister going on.
Some Thoughts:
Young Hunter is a dark and disturbing film. Even before Mono’s plans for Ezequiel come to light, there’s a sense of dread and tension that hints at something not being right.
Everything about the film feels natural, from the acting to the visuals. The feeling of dread starts early and builds to the final scene. Cestaro and Rodríguez do a great job showing their characters’ range of emotions. And it’s these emotions that make the viewer care about the characters and become invested in the story.
Like Marco Berger’s previous films (Hawaii, The Blonde One, Taekwondo), the story is simple, thoughtful, and captivating. There aren’t a ton of twists and turns, but it still makes an impact.
I went into this film knowing nothing about it and was very uncomfortable with the subject matter (underage sex and entrapment). If these are triggers for you, stay away from Young Hunter.
If you’re a fan of Marco Berger or enjoy dark movies that are artfully told and make an impact, Young Hunter is for you. There’s not much more I can say without spoilers.
The Final Verdict:
Young Hunter is a skillfully crafted piece of cinema that’s dark and disturbing. If that’s your thing, then this film is for you.
