I usually go into movies I get the chance to see pre-release with zero expectations, but I won’t lie, I was stoked for The Huntsman. The descriptions promised a tale of grey morality, mixed in with themes of the limits of justice and public perceptions of events. I love a good thriller, and The Huntsman seemed set to deliver.
The Huntsman follows Max, a veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan now working as a rehab nurse. He’s assigned to care for Lincoln, a coma patient who is also the chief suspect in a serial killer case. The serial killer, nicknamed The Huntsman (like from Snow White), poisons his victims and then cuts out their hearts. I don’t want to give too much away here, but we get the idea right away that people are not who they appear to be, both Lincoln and Max. As things continue to unfold, the case looks much more complicated than anyone could ever have anticipated.
The performances in this movie are genuinely stellar. I always really enjoy Shawn Ashmore, but he is on fire in every scene. Elizabeth Mitchell is also a stand-out, and while I don’t really buy her chemistry with the two male leads, she’s a lot of fun to watch. Garret Dillahunt is the sleeper hit, and this movie wouldn’t work at all without his quiet, lurking presence in every scene. He’s really able to bring a lot just with a look or a shift in his posture, and that’s a level of acting you just don’t typically see in a lower-budget movie like this.
As a thriller, this movie only half works. The building blocks are all there, and the setting, characters, and story moments all make sense and create a great environment and tone. What turns down the pressure though is the writing. Conversations are pretty wooden, and despite some great performances from the cast, the characters just don’t really talk like people. They divulge personal pieces of information about themselves and others for the plot to move forward, and it just turns what should be really great film moments into a bit of a slog. I sat through the movie really wanting to like it, but having a hard time getting through the relentless moments of tell-don’t-show.
The ending is predictable, but ultimately sticks the landing in terms of what it was trying to do. What I found was less a movie about the limits of justice and public perception, and more about individual bias and how our initial assumptions often shape how we view people and events. The bones are all there for a Gone Girl-like thriller, but the execution is just lacking. What remains is fun, but leaves you longing for something deeper.
The Huntsman is good, but it’s almost excellent, and I think that’s what I found disappointing. Personally, I’d love to see Ashmore do more horror/thriller, and I think all three leads have the chops for it.
Not all thrillers can be Memento or Gone Girl, but this one just lets the writing get in its own way. Still, the pieces are all there for a fun time, and there’s lots to like, so if you’re looking for a fun thriller, check out The Huntsman.
The Huntsman is now playing in theaters and arrives on digital on February 10, 2026.