Hunting Season (2025)
Hunting Season (2025)
Hunting Season is a gritty American action-crime drama directed by R.J. Collins, starring Mel Gibson, Shelley Hennig, Sofia Hublitz, and Jordi MollΓ . The film blends survival instincts, family drama, and raw violence into a compact, tense thriller set deep in the wilderness.
Plot SummaryIn the remote woods of Oklahoma, reclusive survivalist Bowdrie (Mel Gibson) lives a quiet life with his daughter Tag (Sofia Hublitz) β off the grid, disciplined, and self-sufficient. Their routine is shattered when Tag finds a badly injured woman named January (Shelley Hennig) near the river. Bowdrie reluctantly brings her home, and what begins as an act of compassion soon turns into a curse.
January was kidnapped and tortured by masked men sent by a violent crime boss named Alejandro (Jordi MollΓ ), who is hunting for her and anyone connected to her story. When Alejandroβs men discover Bowdrieβs shelter, survival becomes a brutal game of cat and mouse.
Characters & Performances
Mel Gibson delivers a weathered, grounded performance as a man who prefers solitude but is forced to confront violence on his own terms. His natural on-screen toughness anchors the film.
Shelley Hennig brings vulnerability and grit to January, a character whose trauma fuels the storyβs urgency.
Sofia Hublitz adds emotional heart as Tag, whose growing bond with January raises the stakes.
Jordi MollΓ βs Alejandro is a merciless antagonist whose presence looms with menace throughout.
Action & TensionThe film is lean and relentless, with a runtime of around 93 minutes. It avoids franchise bombast and focuses on tight, visceral violence, gritty forest fights, and tense standoffs. The stakes are personal β family vs. predator β and every decision feels immediate and dangerous.
Themes & Tone
Hunting Season blends themes of
survival, justice, and revenge,
family protection, and
moral ambiguity,
all within a stark, unforgiving setting where help is distant and the line between hunter and hunted is blurrier than ever.
The tone is gritty and grounded, relying on atmosphere more than elaborate set pieces. Natural environments, close-quarters action, and emotional stakes give the movie a woody thriller vibe rather than a glossy blockbuster feel.
Critical ReceptionTomatometer: ~64% critics fresh, with stronger audience reception.
Common Sense Media notes the filmβs violent and troubling thriller aspects, with strong themes and language suited for mature audiences.
IMDb user reviews range widely β some praise Gibsonβs performance and watchability, while others criticize the formulaic plot and repetitive structure.
Final Verdict:Hunting Season is a raw, action-lean survival thriller that benefits greatly from Mel Gibsonβs presence and solid action sequences. While the storyline can feel familiar and the pacing brisk, its emotional core β father, daughter, and the cost of doing the right thing β gives it a pulse that keeps you watching.
Hunting Season (2025) β
Violence isnβt just survivalβ¦ itβs legacy.
