Heart of the Hunter reached Netflix’s top ten after only four days on the streamer. Writers Deon Meyer and Willem Grobler loosely adapted Meyer’s novel of the same name into a fast-paced action thriller. It feels comfortable alongside modern spy movies or the gritty revenge films of the 80s. While it borrows from many sources, the most notable comparison point remains the John Wick franchise, which recently left Netflix. That four-part epic left a healthy fanbase to push Mandla Dube’s latest to the top.
Heart of the Hunter Hits Hard
Heart of the Hunter follows former assassin Zuko Khumalo. Zuko gave up his grim life of contract killing for a quiet life with his girlfriend, her son, and his new career as a motorcycle mechanic. His main concerns include ensuring his status as a role model for his potential future stepson and picking an ideal time to propose to his lovely partner. Zuko’s old mentor, Johnny, spoils his peace with a shattering revelation. Johnny tasks Zuko with crossing South Africa to expose a massive conspiracy throughout the highest levels of the nation’s government. Johnny brings government enforcers to Zuko’s door, forcing him to leap into action. The film follows Zuko through several large-scale confrontations with corrupt politicians and their soldiers. It’s a spy thriller through the lens of a more straightforward revenge-tinged action blockbuster. Its appeal works on many levels for many people.
Yes, Heart of the Hunter is currently number one in South Africa. It’s occupied that position since its second day on Netflix. It’s the second most-watched film on the service worldwide, with only Julien Leclercq’s The Wages of Fear ahead. International audiences flocked to the film early, providing it with top-ten placements worldwide. As Netflix produced the film, it won’t go to theaters, and we have no box office information to explore. Very few critics looked into the project, but most of the official reviews were positive. It has an 80% positive score, but only five reviews reached Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were less kind, offering a 50% rating from less than 50 reviews. It’s fair to call it divisive, but the film has entered a crowded market. Thankfully, it carves out a suitably unique niche.
John Wick inspired countless similar action projects, many of which resemble Heart of the Hunter. Ultimately, the success and failure of a fast-paced action film come down to execution. Mandla Dube finds new perspectives on familiar material, but some of the power might falter with certain audiences. The thrill of seeing someone else’s version of this kind of thriller is enjoyable, but that might not excite everyone. I’d recommend Heart of the Hunter to anyone who enjoys fast-paced spy movies or the John Wick franchise, but don’t expect anything overwhelmingly original. The film might not shock you, but you will likely be on the edge of your seat.
