REVIEW: ‘HUNT’ Is A Thrilling Directorial Debut

Lee Jung-jae is a phenomenal actor, but in Hunt (2022), he shows that he’s a fantastic director as well. Set during the 1980s, the film is about more than just spy games. In fact, the film manages to balance political violence, unrest, and the reasons behind it all. Directed by Lee and written by Jo Seung-Hee, it stars Lee, Jung Woo-sung, Heo Sung-tae, Go Yoon-Jung, Hye-jin Jeon, and Man-sik Jeong.

In Hunt, we watch as two high-level rival agents, Pyong-ho (Lee Jung-jae) and Jung-do (Jung Woo-sung), in the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) oust a North Korean mole who has been hiding among them. Pyong-ho is the head of a foreign intelligence agency and Jung-do is the head of a domestic agency. While both have lenses from their respective positions, they both attempt to do their jobs while also suspecting the other of being the mole.

The two race to get one step ahead of the other and piece together any and all trails left by Donglim, the unknown mole. Two opposing forces in the film that each act as windows into different threats to the political status quo, Pyong-ho and Jung-do have electric and intimidating chemistry.

Of course, these two dualling spies are a reason to show up for the film, but the truth is that the film manages to be a stunning example of blending heavy and loud action with emotional confrontations and detailed espionage. Instead of just resting on the strength of its leads, the film pushes for more and it does so constantly.

Lee Jung-Jae excels as an actor and director in Hunt (2022)

We see a volatile South Korea in the 1980s as the current political regime and president violently suppress college protests, leading to a massacre of citizens. We also see a perspective on reunification—both violently and as a fool’s hope for a peaceful solution as well.

And finally, we see the violence enacted by North Korean agents and the torture committed by the KCIA the moment they suspect someone may be an enemy spy. Hunt is doing a lot of work to show the volatility and fear that is stoked throughout the story so that the audience viscerally feels the emotion that runs throughout every decision.

Truthfully, Hunt is surprising. There are large action setpieces with shootouts feeling both chaotic and methodical in how they’re captured on screen. There are shocking explosions that make you jump in your seat and a heart-pounding score that matches every single story beat in both intensity and calm. Beyond that, Hunt also captures intense emotions like loneliness and loss, and of course, guilt for roles played in violent acts. Balancing emotion and action is a hard task with this many explosions but this film pulls it off entirely, especially with its bleak and gutting ending.

Hunt (2022) doesn’t necessarily have people that you root for. With complex characters that are propelled by their own motivations and grounded in different shades of righteousness, this is one film that doesn’t do what you expect. The film keeps your heartrate accelerated with intrigue, explosions, and an intimate look at political pressure and how it links with justice.

Hunt (2022) screened as a part of the Fantastic Fest 2022 programming and is playing now in theaters nationwide.