A Review of ‘The Hunt’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘The Hunt’ Courtesy of Viaplay.

Often times, crime dramas that re-tell the tale of how an infamous killer was caught or infamous case was closed, focus heavily on the investigator and the hunt for truth. Which makes sense. Because in a way, the audience is detached from the darkness and being alongside someone who deeply cares about justice and righting a wrong allows for the viewer to connect to the story. To care, to want what that intrepid investigator wants, and that gives rise to a fascinating journey. Where both the audience and the investigator feel the pain and the weight of the case and eventually, there is outright relief when justice is finally served, and while this is indeed an impactful formula for certain, it does miss out on something critical.
​
In that, it offers too narrow of a perspective. Because that crime did far more than just motivate a single investigator, or duo of them… to push to bring justice to the forefront of everyone’s mind. For there were people left behind, and families that weep from injuries sustained and lives lost, and they are often forgotten in these tales. Perhaps because they did not want their likeness to be featured in it, but more than likely… because there is an odd belief that the audience won’t properly feel their pain or understand their plight since we are the outsider. But truly, stories in this vein should feature that more, because empathy does more than we know and because… perhaps that could push us collectively to demand better safeguards to prevent crime. To stop this kind of suffering and slowly and surely… shows and movies in this genre are shifting toward a different perspective.

In fact, Viaplay is now home to a story that features a look at the pain people feel when a loved one is murdered in The Hunt. Which it accomplishes by transporting us into two time periods. 1999 and 2012 so that we learn the complete story regarding the death of Marianne Vaatstra. Who was found dead at 16 and her case went unsolved for a little over a decade. In fact, it took exhaustive work to bring the killer to light, and through the use of a grandiose DNA swab campaign. Which finally revealed who was behind this heinous crime, and well… that is indeed the first thing that sets this crime drama apart from so many. In that, it is stunningly comprehensive, and truly showcases every corner of the case so that we are informed and so that we do care. But it truly goes above and beyond once we have the facts in hand.

Because each episode of this series, focuses on someone related to the case, and we watch and learn in great detail how Marianne’s passing impacted them and how it created fear in the community. Which in turn offers up a vastly unique crime drama. Because we really come to understand the impact of her passing upon the community. Of the void that murder creates and how it inspires real fear in people But, more importantly, we really come to understand how much it hurt her family, her friends, to lose her in such a hideous manner. Which offers new perspective for this kind of story and truly has you rooting for the intrepid detectives in question. Not just because they are a force for good. But because of what are now privy to. For we are now part of a violation, a perversion of the course of lives and that makes for a powerful story.

One that stays with you for a long time after its ended, simply because of the new perspective you gain upon such matters, and it is so comprehensive and so thorough, that you even receive unexpected perspectives, the kind that we will not spoil here. Simply because this powerhouse series needs to be experienced firsthand. So that you properly go on this journey and all the emotions it sends your way and that is why this series needs to be celebrated and needs to be talked about. For it is indeed revolutionary in nature and just plain engaging. Courtesy of amazing writing, amazing acting, and above all… because it feels less akin to a show and more as though you’re a silent observer along for the ride, and the best news of all, is you can experience this show today. For it is currently streaming on Viaplay and we hope you give it a look. Because this one is special, courtesy of its unique and intimate spin on a staple of the genre.

---

Watch ‘The Hunt’

Powered by JustWatch