The Head Hunter (2018 film)

The Head Hunter is a 2018 American dark fantasy horror film directed by Jordan Downey and written by Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey. The film stars Christopher Rygh as a medieval warrior who collects the heads of monsters he kills, hoping to eventually avenge the death of his daughter.

Synopsis

The film centers on a solitary, battle-scarred warrior, known only as Father, who lives in a remote cabin in the mountains. He is a bounty hunter who tracks and kills monsters, collecting their heads as trophies. His primary motivation is revenge against the monster that killed his daughter. He utilizes various alchemical potions and rudimentary medical techniques to survive his encounters and preserve the heads. He nails the heads to the wall of his cabin as a gruesome record of his hunts. When a particularly dangerous creature appears, Father sees an opportunity to finally avenge his daughter's death, but the hunt comes at a great cost.

Production

The Head Hunter was filmed on a low budget, utilizing practical effects and location shooting to create its grim and atmospheric setting. The film was shot in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

Release

The film premiered at the Fantastic Fest in September 2018 and was subsequently released in the United States on April 5, 2019.

Reception

The Head Hunter received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its atmosphere, Rygh's performance, and its effective use of practical effects despite its limited budget. Some critics found the pacing slow and the plot minimalistic, but overall it was seen as a well-crafted and visually striking horror film.