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?

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.

What is it these days with making characters so unlikable, and so pathetically entitled, particularly in horror/thrillers where you are supposed to want them to survive!?

It fails in the basic task of creating a 'good' character you root for against a 'bad' character that you want to see fail and/or die.

The 'good' character here is actually written as a unpleasant, rude, obnoxious, man-hating woman who we discover is cheating on her supportive (apparently 'too nice') husband, who wants kids and thinks she's seeing a fertility doctor, with a co-worker who she appears to hold in equal contempt. She mentions on multiple occasions her disdain for men, and that is apparently her reason for not wanting kids, but lying to her husband that she does while cheating on him with another man - makes sense huh? She has no redeeming characteristics despite attempts to give her some redeeming situations, and at no point did I actually want her to survive.

Their idea for the 'bad' character was a feeling-hard-done-by right-wing anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist who decides to kill innocent people and reinforce the stereotypes he apparently despises. It's almost comical how little effort was made, even if you find those kind of people ridiculous and dislikable. He isn't at all threatening or scary, just a childish idiot who got off Twitter and decided to kill people in a gas station in the middle of the night.

Some failed attempts are made to try to link the antagonist to the protagonist with her working for a pharmaceutical company and him hating "big pharma" companies and their employees, but it's all rather nonsensical.

Despite this, after switching off my brain, I weirdly found myself enjoying the overall premise of the film, and it could have been much better with more imaginative script-writers, but I don't think you'll find it particularly suspenseful or engaging so unless you can enjoy a film even when it's ridiculous you'll probably be more likely to dislike this as much as you do the characters within it.

I like movies which takes place at an isolated gas station situated in the middle of nowhere.

I thoroughly enjoyed Open 24 Hours (2018).

This movie enticed me via the settings of a gas station but found it to be a disappointment.

Nothing original bah this unnecessary lengthy movie. The editing is so atrocious that the movie gets very repetitive n boring.

The villain doesn't sound intimidating or terrifying n there is absolutely no character study or background story.

This movie is lifted from so many other thrillers. Some of them r mentioned below.

Carnage Park (a psychotic sniper terrorizes a bank robber and his hostage). Carnage Park is boring n had lots of flickering lights n hand held shaky cam stuff.

Roadside (A couple fight for their lives when they are held hostage in their car by a concealed gunman at the side of a desolate road). Haven't seen Roadside but very bad reviews on IMDb.

Phonebooth (A publicist finds his life under threat when he answers a ringing phone at a phone booth. The caller tells him that he will be shot the minute he cuts the call).

Phonebooth is one of the best thriller n everything has already been said bah this movie.

Downrange (A group of friends are killed one by one by a ruthless sniper after they get stuck in the middle of nowhere).

Downrange is violent, brutal n tension filled. It's from the director of Midnight Meat Train.

And the recent To Catch a Killer (A cop is recruited by the FBI to help profile and track down a sniper).

This one has top notch acting n it is a thriller. This has more to do with catching the sniper.

"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.