Luca Guadagnino, known for his work on Call Me By Your Name, returns with After the Hunt, a psychological thriller marked by tension and intricate relationships. The film stars Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, centering on a college professor who faces a difficult challenge when her mentee accuses a close colleague of misconduct. This intense story unfolds around secrets and moral dilemmas, fitting Guadagnino’s interest in charged, layered narratives.
Main Cast Features Strong Performances From Roberts, Edebiri, and Garfield
The primary cast includes Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri, supported by Chloë Sevigny and Michael Stuhlbarg. Guadagnino has praised Roberts’s role, calling it one of the best performances of her career. The director also highlighted Ayo Edebiri as a standout talent, discovering her through her performance in the comedy Bottoms rather than her later work on The Bear.
Guadagnino shared,
“I had seen Ayo in Bottoms,”
and added,
“And I immediately thought, Who is she? Where is she? I needed to meet her!”
of the actor.
He further praised her unique presence, stating,
“Ayo is a movie star in the real sense of bigness, and cinema, and excitement. She has a commitment toward performance that you rarely find now. She absolutely commands your gaze. She’s funny and she’s extremely beautiful—and that is a very rare combination.”
Director Highlights the Film’s Focus on Societal Divisions and Consent
During a podcast interview on WTF with Marc Maron, Guadagnino explained that After the Hunt is one of his rare films not centered on love or sexuality. Instead, it addresses current social divides and the complex dynamics between generations within academia.
He described the movie as,
“a very timely movie for where we are now, in terms of the society and the division in society and the extreme positions that we can have vis-a-vis an opinion in a way. It’s about what happens in the milieu of academia between younger and older people and the idea of consent.”
Guadagnino also called the film “very loaded” and
“very provocative, but not in a stupid way, but I would say in a very articulate way.”
After the Hunt Trailer Reveals Tense Confrontations and Shifting Alliances
The first official trailer premiered on July 16, showing the dynamic between Roberts, Edebiri, and Garfield in a scenic academic environment. The story escalates when Edebiri’s character accuses Garfield of inappropriate behavior during a night they spent together, which Garfield’s character denies, claiming it is a retaliatory move after accusing her of plagiarism. The trailer also hints at a complex fascination or obsession from Edebiri’s character toward Roberts’s character, adding additional psychological layers.
Film Written by First-Time Screenwriter Nora Garrett
While Guadagnino’s recent films involved longtime collaborator Justin Kuritzkes, After the Hunt is penned by new screenwriter Nora Garrett. This marks Garrett’s first major screenplay credit, bringing a fresh voice to Guadagnino’s cinematic vision.
Anticipated Release Dates Announced for Theatrical and Wide Rollout
After the Hunt is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 10, 2025, in New York and Los Angeles. It will expand to a wider audience with a nationwide release on October 17, 2025, positioning it as a major fall contender.
Significance of After the Hunt in Contemporary Cinema
After the Hunt promises to be a provocative exploration of power, consent, and interpersonal conflict in academic settings, reflecting broader societal tensions through its narrative and characters. With a powerful cast led by Julia Roberts and supported by Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri, the film is poised to make a substantive impact. Guadagnino’s methodical storytelling and complex character portrayals invite viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and moral ambiguities, underscoring the film’s relevance in today’s cultural discourse.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Andrew Garfield LGBTQ?
A. The former Amazing Spider-Man actor stated, “To the best of my knowledge, I am not a gay man.” He mentioned this to the UK’s Gay Times. He added that perhaps in the future, he might discover that side of himself, which he anticipates will be a great experience. For now, he feels content and happy with his present life.
Q. Did Andrew Garfield love Emma?
A. Background on Emma and Andrew In 2017, Andrew discussed his feelings about Stone with Vanity Fair, despite their breakup. He expressed, “We genuinely care deeply for each other, and that’s a constant, an unconditional thing,” he shared. “There is immense love and respect between us.”
Q. Why did Emma Stone not marry Andrew Garfield?
A. I recently learned that Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone ended their relationship because he wanted to start a family, but she didn’t at the time. Despite this, she is now married with children, while he remains single.
