Night of the hunted

There must be at least a dozen or so horror/thriller movies in which most of the action occurs at remote gas stations or roadhouses. I'm always a sucker for them. This one follows the usual script more or less, and I can say that I did enjoy it even if it was fairly predictable. The one thing that many of them seem to have in common is that they fail to wrap things up neatly at the end, so I always feel a bit disappointed or cheated because of that. This movie is no exception in this unfortunately. If asked how I'd improve the movie I'd say that a few more characters trapped in the gas station would have permitted the writer to create more interesting dialog and the interaction between characters given the writer far more scope and diversity. As it is I feel it got a bit bogged down and drawn out for a fair amount of the time. Another suggestion would be to have a character enter the gas station with the aim of robbing it. Of course they'd be armed and be able to shoot back to some degree. But could the woman trust them?

This movie had amazing potential, but the severely saturated political BS and message passing was just too much.

A little political isn't bad but the writer went overboard from racial, vaccine, mask wearing, abortions, guns and religious bases touched. It was just as if the writer had gone crazy during Covid-19 shutdown and thought "how can I project me anger and frustration at the world"..and here we have the is projection.

The actual premise isn't unlike some other single shot location movies where the lead is trapped and 90% of the film is revolved around that place.

Splinter/Phonebooth/Night of the Living Dead.

The whole movie is really good considering the story. However, Hollywood could not refrain from the government narrative. They portrayed anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists as the culprits, which is a pathetic approach to dismiss anyone with a different perspective on the mass delusions promoted by governments. I felt a sense of nausea after watching this propaganda garbage. Nonetheless, the story takes you to an unknown world where you must question if you are a good person and confront all your past sins. I'll give it a second star just for this aspect. I cannot comprehend why the producers are endorsing this sickening narrative.

The premise looked promising, but it quickly went downhill once the opening credits ended. When the film starts off with a woman texting her hubby about fertility clinics while her lover jumps in the shower, I'm struggling to understand how I'm supposed to root for her (not saying protags are saints, but at least build up to her flaws instead of smacking us upside the head). And speaking of smacking us, once the crazed sniper started ranting about every trendy social issue without taking a breath, I turned it off. I like scripts that are thought provoking, witty, deep, etc. This sounded written by a 20 year old undergrad at Berkeley who probably relies on his trust fund to pay for his "film aspirations." I could see this as a 30 minute episode (which is about as far as I got), otherwise it just drags and sucks my soul dry. Not to mention the plot holes and ridiculous suspension of disbelief required. I didn't care about any of the characters and certainly was in no mood to listen to a cheesy actor tick off every hot topic via walkie talkie. This was a wasted opportunity so I chose not to waste my time. Based on the reviews, I certainly didn't miss anything.

"Night of the Hunted" is a 2023 survival horror film that delivers a tense and suspenseful cinematic experience. The film follows Alice, a young woman whose road trip takes a terrifying turn when she stops at a desolate gas station in the middle of the night. She soon finds herself trapped in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a skilled sniper who is determined to hunt her down.

The film masterfully builds suspense, utilizing the isolated setting and the looming threat of the unseen sniper to create a palpable sense of dread. The tension is further heightened by the protagonist's vulnerability and the limited options available to her as she desperately tries to evade her pursuer.

"Night of the Hunted" is a character-driven thriller that explores themes of survival, resilience, and the human will to overcome adversity. Alice, portrayed with a compelling mix of fear and determination, is a relatable protagonist whose struggle to survive captivates the audience. The film's focus on her inner strength and resourcefulness in the face of danger makes her a compelling character to root for.

While some may find the film's pacing to be slow-burn, it ultimately pays off with a gripping and suspenseful climax. The film's minimalist approach, with its focus on the psychological and physical terror experienced by the protagonist, is a refreshing departure from the typical jump-scare driven horror films.

"Night of the Hunted" is a chilling and thought-provoking thriller that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. It's a must-watch for fans of suspenseful thrillers and those seeking a cinematic experience that will stay with them long after the credits roll.