Hunting Daze (2024) by Annick Blanc: The Wild Hunt Within
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 9
- 7 min read
Short Summary: A Woman and the Wolf Pack "Hunting Daze" is a Canadian psychological thriller that follows Nina, a sex worker who finds herself stranded in the remote wilderness. She is reluctantly taken in by a group of men on a bachelor hunting trip. As she attempts to prove herself and find a place within their "wolf pack," the arrival of another outsider shatters the fragile equilibrium, forcing the group to confront their own primal instincts and a moral dilemma with deadly consequences.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30835055/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/hunting-daze (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/hunting-daze (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/hunting-daze (Canada)
Detailed Summary: A Cabin in the Woods, a Descent into Madness "Hunting Daze" is the feature film debut of director Annick Blanc. It centers on Nina, an exotic dancer, who, after a fight with her manager, is left stranded in the Quebec wilderness. She is picked up by a client, Kevin, who takes her to a remote cabin where his friends are celebrating a bachelor party. The men are a group of city slickers embracing a hyper-masculine hunting ritual. Nina, in a bid to survive and belong, agrees to a series of initiation rites, earning her place as "one of the boys." The film subverts expectations by showing her forming a genuine, if fraught, connection with the group. However, the arrival of a second outsider, a mysterious man named Doudos, introduces a new dynamic of xenophobia and suspicion. This tension culminates in a shocking accident that forces the group to make a terrible choice, and it's here that the film shifts into a surreal and morally complex psychological thriller.
Plot summary: The Perilous Party
Stranded and Seeking Refuge: Nina, after a heated argument, is left stranded on a remote road. Her only option is to return to a hunting cabin where a group of her former clients is having a bachelor party.
Initiation into the Pack: The men reluctantly agree to let her stay, but only if she earns her place. Nina, tough and unyielding, quickly proves herself in their hunting and drinking rituals, becoming an accepted "member of the pack."
The Arrival of the "Other": The group's dynamic is upended by the arrival of Doudos, a Black man they find in the woods. His presence, coupled with a drug trip, unleashes a mix of paranoia, subtle racism, and escalating tension.
A Fatal Mistake: A terrible accident occurs, and the group's "brotherhood" is tested. Nina becomes the sole voice of reason, but her attempts to find a moral solution are met with resistance and hostility, revealing the true, self-serving nature of the men.
The Hunt for Survival: The film concludes with a terrifying turn, as the men's instinct for self-preservation consumes them. Nina, having proven she can be "one of the boys," must now fight to survive their desperation and the dangerous consequences of their collective choices.
Director's Vision: The Subversion of Genre
The Bipolarity of Humans: Annick Blanc has stated that her films are interested in the "bipolarity of humans," who can be both loving and kind, and also "savage or animal-like." She uses the "wolf pack" metaphor to explore this duality, showing how a group of seemingly good men can make terrible decisions when their survival instincts take over.
Using and Reinventing Stereotypes: Blanc deliberately chose to use archetypal characters—the sex worker, the white men on a bachelor party, the immigrant stranger—to explore and subvert genre conventions. She aims to use these familiar stereotypes to get under the audience's skin and then challenge their expectations.
Empowering the Female Protagonist: Blanc's vision was to create a female protagonist who is not a victim. Nina is a strong, capable character who fights to the end, even when faced with overwhelming odds. She is the moral compass of the film, and her struggle is one of asserting her will in a world that seeks to control her.
A Blend of the Real and the Surreal: The film uses a dreamy, hallucinatory visual style, with elements of surrealism and nightmarish imagery, to reflect the characters' psychological state. The Canadian wilderness is not just a setting; it's a liminal space where reality blurs and human instincts are laid bare.
Themes: The Pack Mentality and Human Frailty
Toxic Masculinity: The film is a sharp critique of toxic masculinity, as it shows a group of men who, in the name of "brotherhood" and "the pack," make increasingly reckless and immoral choices. Their bravado and sense of entitlement ultimately lead to their downfall.
The Dangers of Othering: The arrival of Doudos highlights the theme of xenophobia and the fear of "the other." The men's initial acceptance of Nina is not extended to Doudos, and their prejudice becomes a key factor in the group's tragic collapse.
Survival vs. Morality: At its core, "Hunting Daze" is a film about the conflict between self-preservation and moral responsibility. The characters are forced to make a difficult choice, and their different responses reveal the true nature of their humanity.
Rewilding and Female Agency: The film explores the idea of "rewilding," or finding power outside of patriarchal constraints. Nina's journey is a defiant one, as she embraces her own instincts and refuses to be defined by the men around her, ultimately finding a strength that they lack.
Key success factors: An Unsettling and Unpredictable Thriller
A Magnetic Lead Performance: Nahéma Ricci delivers a captivating and multi-layered performance as Nina, making her both tough and vulnerable. She is the film's anchor, and her subtle expressions and unwavering resolve are central to its success.
Tense and Atmospheric Direction: Annick Blanc’s direction is praised for its ability to create a deeply unsettling tone. The film's a-chronological and atmospheric style keeps the audience off-balance, building suspense slowly and effectively.
Subversive Storytelling: "Hunting Daze" is not a traditional horror film. It cleverly subverts expectations, making it a fresh and unpredictable genre piece that avoids clichés and provides genuine surprises.
Strong Cinematic Elements: The film is lauded for its cinematography, which captures the vast and menacing beauty of the Canadian wilderness. The sound design and musical score also contribute to the film's eerie and dreamlike atmosphere.
Awards and Nominations: A Promising Festival Debut "Hunting Daze" has garnered significant attention on the film festival circuit. It premiered at SXSW in 2024 and was also an official selection at the Fantasia International Film Festival. Its strong critical reception suggests it is a contender for further awards and nominations. The film has been highlighted as an impressive feature debut for Annick Blanc, a producer known for her Oscar-nominated shorts.
Critics reception: A Sharp and Unpredictable Thriller
Collider: The review on Collider calls the film "an exhilarating pseudo-horror" and a "sharp condemnation of humans and how we treat each other." It praises the film for its tight scope and its ability to craft a compelling and revolting story without making grand social statements.
FilmSpeak: The reviewer from FilmSpeak highlights Nahéma Ricci's performance as "one of the year's best," stating that her portrayal of Nina gives her character an "incredible amount of agency." They call the film a "lean, but effective thriller that quickly gets under your skin."
Screen Anarchy: This review praises the film for being a "deliberately hazy thriller about choices" and a success in subverting expectations. The critic notes how the film begins as a female empowerment story and then "turns on a dime" with the arrival of a second outsider, unraveling the fragile peace.
Overall Summary: Critics have praised "Hunting Daze" for its unique approach to the genre, its strong and subversive storytelling, and its powerful lead performance. While some have noted it's not a traditional horror film, they agree that its unsettling atmosphere and thought-provoking themes make it an effective and memorable thriller.
Reviews: From Empowerment to Dread
The Scariest Things: The review from this site notes how the film "explores the complications of stacking up bad decisions" and praises it for being a compelling study of how a group of "individually decent people" can crash badly in the name of brotherhood.
The Movie Waffler: This review calls the film a "welcome reverse riff" on the "cabin in the woods" trope. It praises Annick Blanc for upending expectations about gender and race, and for creating a film that is both "gripping" and "bleak."
Warped Perspective: This review highlights the film's "provocative and nasty" nature, and its "dreamy camaraderie" that gives way to a "looping, fragmenting, and hallucinatory experience." It notes that the film is a "very heady film" that is not simply a cautionary tale.
Overall Summary: Reviews collectively emphasize the film's ability to keep the audience guessing. They highlight its clever subversions of genre expectations and its success in creating a strong sense of unease and dread. The film is consistently described as a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Why to watch this movie: A Psychological Survival Story
A New Twist on a Classic Trope: If you enjoy "cabin in the woods" thrillers but are looking for something fresh and unexpected, "Hunting Daze" is a must-see. It skillfully subverts genre conventions.
For a Powerful Lead Performance: Nahéma Ricci's performance as Nina is a standout. Her portrayal of a woman fighting for her life and her morality is both captivating and deeply moving.
Thought-Provoking Themes: The film delves into complex themes of toxic masculinity, xenophobia, and the choices we make in the face of fear. It's a film that will give you plenty to think about long after you've watched it.
A Strong Debut: Annick Blanc's first feature film showcases a confident and mature directorial voice. She is a new filmmaker to watch, and "Hunting Daze" is a promising start to her career.
Movie Trend: The Deconstruction of Genre "Hunting Daze" is part of a growing trend in filmmaking that deconstructs familiar genres, particularly horror and thriller. Rather than adhering to a strict set of rules, these films use the genre framework to explore deeper psychological and social issues. They often blend elements of different genres, use non-linear storytelling, and prioritize atmosphere and character development over traditional plot beats and scares.
Social Trend: The Unmasking of Inherent Biases The film taps into the social trend of a greater awareness and discussion around inherent biases, including xenophobia and misogyny. By creating a microcosm of society in the Canadian wilderness, "Hunting Daze" shows how these biases, even when they are subtle or unacknowledged, can have devastating consequences when a crisis arises. The film serves as a potent commentary on how a group's collective prejudice can outweigh individual morality.
Final Verdict: A Disturbing and Unforgettable Descent Annick Blanc's "Hunting Daze" is an accomplished and audacious debut. It's a film that masterfully builds tension, subverts expectations, and offers a searing critique of human nature. Anchored by a phenomenal performance from Nahéma Ricci, the film is a psychological rollercoaster that is both disturbing and deeply thought-provoking. It is a powerful and unique cinematic experience that will stay with you, leaving you to ponder the thin line between civilization and savagery.
Comments