Luca Guadagnino’s Academic Thriller ‘After the Hunt’ Sets Amazon Prime Video Release Date

Luca Guadagnino’s latest psychological thriller, After the Hunt, is preparing for its widespread digital debut, transitioning to Amazon Prime Video on November 20, 2025. This highly anticipated streaming release follows the film’s initial limited theatrical run, which commenced in the United States on October 10, 2025. The picture first garnered international attention when it held its world premiere at the prestigious 82nd Venice Film Festival in August 2025.

Guadagnino, the acclaimed director behind cinematic hits such as Call Me by Your Name (2017) and Challengers (2024), explores complex ethical quandaries set within the high-stakes academic environment of Yale University. Penned by screenwriter Nora Garrett, the narrative centers on Professor Alma Imhoff, portrayed by Academy Award winner Julia Roberts. Alma finds herself thrust into the middle of a devastating scandal involving her close colleague and friend, Professor Hank Gibson, played by Andrew Garfield.

The controversy erupts when Gibson faces a serious accusation of sexual harassment brought forward by Alma’s top graduate student, Maggie Resnik, played by Ayo Edebir. The situation is immediately complicated by professional rivalry: both Alma and Hank are actively vying for the same coveted tenured position at the university. This professional tension adds a sharp edge to the personal crisis unfolding between the characters.

As the conflict escalates, a dark secret from Alma’s own history resurfaces. It is revealed that in her youth, Alma made a false accusation of rape, an action that tragically resulted in the accused individual taking his own life. This multi-layered plot delves into profound contemporary themes, including the complexities of the #MeToo movement, the elusive nature of truth, and the widening generational divides within society.

While the film received a mixed critical response upon release, the performances delivered by the lead ensemble were widely lauded as outstanding. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged that the movie “asks interesting questions,” yet he expressed reservations regarding the director’s deliberate decision to withhold definitive answers from the audience.

Financially, After the Hunt struggled to gain significant traction during its theatrical window, generating approximately $9 million in box office receipts against a substantial production budget estimated to be in the range of $70 million to $80 million. The supporting cast features notable talents, including Michael Stuhlbarg as Frederick, Alma’s husband, and Chloë Sevigny as the psychiatrist Dr. Kim Sayers. Adding to the film’s unique aesthetic, cinematographer Malick Hassan Said employed only lighting technologies that existed prior to 1988, a deliberate choice intended to imbue the story with a timeless quality.

Director Guadagnino, who is scheduled to appear alongside Julia Roberts to present the Visionary Tribute at the upcoming Gotham Awards ceremony, has consistently emphasized that his intention was never to dictate a singular truth to viewers. Instead, he preferred to leave the final interpretation of the narrative ambiguous, allowing the audience to wrestle with the moral complexities presented. The November 20 Prime Video release will ensure that a vast international audience finally has the opportunity to engage with this challenging and important contemporary drama.