Netflix Horror Movie Once Banned In The U.S. Now Hailed By Fans As The 'Best Movie Ever'

The satirical action-horror film has been met with widespread praise since arriving on Netflix, drawing attention for its dark humor and social commentary.

One fan shared their thoughts online, saying: "Honestly, one of the best, well thought out and written action movies I've ever seen."

Another viewer agreed and commented: "I wish there were more movies like this."

"For those who haven't watched it yet… I urge you to watch it IMMEDIATELY!" another user wrote, urging others to check it out for themselves.

The film’s story follows twelve strangers who wake up in a remote area and soon realize they are being hunted by a group of wealthy global elites. What seems like a standard survival thriller quickly turns into a biting political satire that flips the concept of “us versus them” on its head.

However, the movie’s path to release wasn’t smooth. Its debut was delayed due to backlash from both political circles and the public, especially since its planned release coincided with two tragic mass shootings in the United States.

The movie, which was previously banned in America, is receiving praise since becoming available to stream. Universal Pictures

The movie was originally scheduled to hit theaters on September 27, 2019, but intense criticism followed after the El Paso and Dayton shootings earlier that August, which left more than 30 people dead within the same 24-hour period.

In response to the national grief and outrage, Universal Pictures decided to pull the film’s trailer and halt all promotional campaigns. The studio described the move as one made after “thoughtful consideration,” acknowledging that the timing felt inappropriate given the circumstances.

This decision effectively postponed the film’s release indefinitely, leaving fans and critics speculating about whether it would ever see the light of day.

As the controversy continued to build, then-President Donald Trump weighed in on Hollywood’s role in promoting violent and divisive content. Although he didn’t name The Hunt directly, he accused the film industry of creating works that “inflame and cause chaos.”

His comments, along with critical coverage from conservative media outlets like Fox News, fueled even more speculation that the film was an attack on conservative values. As a result, what began as a fictional satire became a political flashpoint before audiences had even seen it.

The debate surrounding the movie only intensified, turning it into one of the most talked-about unreleased films of the year.

The film has faced significant controversy. Universal Pictures

Much of the criticism stemmed from the film’s use of the word “deplorables” — a term famously used by Hillary Clinton during her 2016 campaign to describe some of Donald Trump’s supporters. That single word was enough to spark outrage among political commentators and viewers who felt targeted by the movie’s premise.

Many critics interpreted the story as a portrayal of liberal elites hunting conservatives for sport. However, those involved in the project have repeatedly clarified that it was meant as satire — an exaggerated commentary on how both sides of the political spectrum dehumanize one another.

Despite the backlash, the controversy ultimately gave the movie a level of attention that few thrillers could ever achieve.

The movie's creators maintain that the film was intended as satire rather than a serious statement. Universal Pictures

Director Craig Zobel, known for exploring uncomfortable moral dilemmas in his films, described The Hunt — starring Betty Gilpin, Emma Roberts, and Hilary Swank — as “fun, funny, and not super dark.” He emphasized that the film was meant to challenge audiences rather than divide them.

Still, the heated political climate in the U.S. at the time made releasing the movie a difficult decision for the studio. The discussion surrounding violence, censorship, and media responsibility was at an all-time high.

When Universal finally decided to re-release the film seven months later, it leaned into the very controversy that had delayed it, using the tagline: "The most talked about movie nobody has ever seen."

Universal rescheduled the theatrical release for March 2020, reigniting public debate over its themes and timing. Producer Jason Blum expressed hope that the controversy would encourage more people to see the movie and draw their own conclusions rather than rely on online speculation.

While some praised Universal for being considerate in delaying the original release, others pointed out the irony of censoring a fictional story about violence while real-world access to firearms remained largely unrestricted.

Today, The Hunt stands as one of the most polarizing films of its time — a piece of social commentary that mirrors the very tensions it set out to critique.

You can watch the trailer for The Hunt below:

The Hunt is now available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and Sky Store, allowing audiences to decide for themselves what all the controversy was about.