Hunting Season

Ignore the anti Gibson invasion here. It's a decent movie, perhaps low on script and depth but the acting is good, and the tension builds well. It's a no nonsense traditional action movie, and none the worse for that.

For me it's a solid 7/10 plus a one point bonus for the way the simplicity took me back to a better time. Well done Mel, out there in the real world you have far more fans than haters!

While there is nothing wrong with this movie there is nothing overly right about it either. Its VERY slow to get anywhere and by the time it does its over. The story line is a done to death clinche, acting is ok and most of it looks like its shot in someones backyard. As I said theres nothing really wrong with it if you go in with NO expectations, but if you are looking for a Mel Gibson blockbuster forget it.

"Hunting Season" is a competently made thriller that builds tension through atmosphere and restraint, even if it never quite rises above genre familiarity. It's a solid watch, but one that plays things a little too safely to leave a lasting impression.

The direction favors subtlety over spectacle, allowing unease to develop gradually. This approach works in places, creating moments of genuine tension, but it also means the film can feel muted at times, lacking the punch needed to fully engage. Visually, it's appropriate and consistent, though rarely striking.

The performances are believable and grounded, helping sell the realism of the situation. However, the characters themselves aren't especially memorable, and the story follows well-worn paths without adding much of its own identity. What could have been sharper or more daring settles instead for competence.

In the end, "Hunting Season" isn't bad - just limited. It delivers a restrained, watchable thriller experience, but one that remains firmly in the realm of "okay" rather than truly compelling.

Listen, this movie has problems, and is by no means perfect. The beginning is especially problematic, as the character wasn't introduced nor was it well acted. At a few minutes in, I thought I was watching an autistic person annoy someone, but apparently it was supposed to be a drug lord.

Luckily I stuck with it, because it does get a lot better. Gibson and his daughter are sweet, and the rest of the acting is serviceable. The story doesn't make a ton of sense as presented, yet still makes for an extremely watchable movie.

For these usual geezer teaser movies there's usually a bait and switch. Mel would be on the cover but in reality just in the movie for 10 minutes. Not here actually. He is the lead. It's primarily his film and bless him he is trying but there's no budget to speak of and it shows. The movie meanders around and takes a long while to get to its eventual conclusion. I wouldn't be surprised if Mel really helped out on keeping the action quick and simple to cover for the fact they just had no money. Digital squibs and muzzle flashes galore kill any sort of bloodlust enjoyment in the finale and it's a routine a to b to c plot.

That would be fine if they could have delivered on some kind of satisfactory conclusion or character path. I mean let's be real it's 2025, I'm watching cause it's Mel Gibson. Just give Mel a decent reason for ripping throats and then set him free, you'll have all of our money. It's the John Wick principal of these types of movies. Just be the crowd pleaser. But instead it wanted to be a slow burn type mid 90s hometown thriller. But nothing in the script reaches above mediocrity so instead you have a painfully average vendiagram of the two and it all results in nothing satisfying.

I'll still give it props for being mostly competent and not a bait and switch.

Late at night and on streaming? It's fine. Cheap rental? Meh

Purchase? No.