On the opening night of the 63rd New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, director Luca Guadagnino presented his latest film, After the Hunt. The psychological thriller stars Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts, revealing a tense story about a college professor named Alma (Roberts) who faces a difficult moral dilemma when her protégé Maggie (Ayo Edebiri) accuses Alma’s close colleague Hank (Garfield) of sexual assault. The film explores complex themes with a restless and uneasy tone, matching the current cultural conversations surrounding consent and accountability.
Cast and Creative Team Offer Insights into Film’s Impact
During the premiere, Julia Roberts greeted the audience with a personal message, sharing,
I moved to New York when I was 17 years old — and I’m 57. This is top 3 great achievements of my New York life. So thank you so much for having us.
Julia Roberts, Lead Actress
Director Guadagnino returned to the stage, emphasizing the film’s intent:
made to make you talk about it and fight over it, and be laughing and being desperate and happy.
Luca Guadagnino, Director
Joining Roberts and Guadagnino at the premiere were co-stars Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg, and screenwriter Nora Garrett, along with Julia Roberts’ niece, Emma Roberts. Garrett, speaking on the film’s emotionally charged scenes, highlighted the powerful classroom confrontation:
One of the scenes I was really looking forward to was the one where Andrew Garfield’s character, Hank Gibson, confronts Julia’s character, Alma, in her classroom, That was Andrew’s first day on set, and he just knocked it out of the park. I almost started crying.
Nora Garrett, Screenwriter
Screenplay Emphasizes Moral Ambiguity and Character Complexity
After the Hunt deliberately avoids simple moral judgments. Garrett explained how her background as an actor influenced the dialogue and character development:
I was an actor and so much of the acting training I got was about, ‘You have to be on your character’s side — even if they’re doing things that you don’t agree with. It’s not about judging your character. It’s about trying to find a place of commonality and work from there.’ And I think I did the same thing with the dialogue — I hope.
Nora Garrett, Screenwriter
This thoughtful approach creates a story where the audience is invited to grapple with uncomfortable questions rather than find easy answers, reflecting the film’s concerned and uneasy atmosphere.
Premiere Celebrations and Upcoming Release Dates
Following the screening at Lincoln Center, attendees gathered at Tavern on the Green for an afterparty that featured hors d’oeuvres including mini lobster rolls, meat skewers, and fingerling potatoes. Guadagnino appeared about an hour into the event, still in his glittering suit jacket, adding to the evening’s lively yet thoughtful mood.
After the Hunt is set to open in limited theaters across the U.S. on October 10, with a wider release planned for October 17. The film’s exploration of timely and difficult issues positions it as a significant entry in this year’s festival lineup, likely to spark ongoing conversations around its challenging themes and performances, especially Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Hank.
