Julia Roberts Debuts in Venice with #MeToo Drama ‘After the Hunt’

Julia Roberts is making her long-awaited debut at the Venice Film Festival with the psychosexual drama After the Hunt, which premiered on the evening of September 6, 2023. The film explores themes of power dynamics within higher education, featuring Roberts as a respected professor whose mentee, portrayed by Ayo Edebiri, accuses her friend and colleague, played by Andrew Garfield, of inappropriate behavior.

Film Details and Festival Context

Luca Guadagnino, the Italian director known for his previous works at the festival, helmed this film. Guadagnino’s past contributions include Queer and Bones & All, both of which received critical acclaim. Though his film Challengers, featuring Zendaya, was initially set to open the festival this year, it was pulled due to the Hollywood strikes that impacted many productions.

The ensemble cast of After the Hunt also features actors Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny, both of whom frequently collaborate with Guadagnino. The film is showing out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, which means it will not contend for the festival’s major awards. According to festival chief Alberto Barbera, the film was strong enough to be included in the competition, but the studio opted for a different route.

Future Release Plans

Amazon MGM Studios has scheduled the theatrical release of After the Hunt in North America for October 10, 2023. As the festival unfolds, it showcases a rich array of significant premieres, including Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein and Kathryn Bigelow’s film A House of Dynamite.

The 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival is currently in full swing, with audiences eager to witness the latest cinematic offerings. With its compelling narrative and the star power of Roberts and her co-stars, After the Hunt is anticipated to spark discussions around the #MeToo movement and its implications in academic settings.