Hunting Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Hunting Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 9, 2026

Action fans craving a hit of sustained suspense might be thoroughly underwhelmed by “Hunting Season.” There are a few blasts of violence along the way, but screenwriter Adam Hampton isn’t fully interested in going the one-man-army route with this story of a father trying to protect his teen daughter from the evils of the world around them. Instead of consistent carnage, Hampton tries to manufacture a study of parental love and isolation, getting somewhere with the fatherly elements of the tale. “Hunting Season” is an odd one, as a portion of it works on a dramatic scale, and there’s a surprising amount of viciousness in the picture, giving it some snap. But there’s hideous overacting as well, and director Raja Collins (“Crescent City”) doesn’t have command of pacing, leaving the offering uneven, but with promising moments.

Bowdrie (Mel Gibson) is a practiced man of nature, making a home in a remote cabin, doing his best to raise Tag (Sofia Hublitz), his teen daughter, giving her an education in the ways of hunting and survival. While out fishing one afternoon, Tag discovers January (Shelley Hennig), a young woman who’s been shot and left for dead by a river. Bringing in Bowdrie for help, the pair transfer January to their home and tend to her wounds, trying to learn more about the wounded stranger while carrying on with their lives. Bowdrie understands the severity of the situation, poking around the locals, including Sheriff Brake (James Dumont), for information about what’s going on. The father learns about the Brotherhood, a crime cartel in the area, with boss Alejandro (Jordi Molla) on the hunt for Jensen (Rocky Myers), a stooge who made off with a lot of money, and the vicious kingpin wants it back, hunting for those connected to the wanted man, including his lover, Lizzie (Scarlet Rose Stallone).

Alejandro is a disturbed man, and Collins enjoys letting Molla follow his thespian instincts as he inhabits a dangerous individual with serious psychological issues. He’s the first character introduced in the picture, entering a bar to make his presence known to Lizzie, a server who doesn’t immediately understand the danger she’s in. Alejandro is looking for Jensen and money taken from him, eventually threatening Lizzie if she doesn’t willingly provide information on his whereabouts. But this is no ordinary act of intimidation, as “Hunting Season” carries a bit of a mean streak, watching Alejandro promise to take a switchblade to the young woman’s genital area if he doesn’t get what he wants. It’s difficult to tell what’s worse: the threat or Molla’s horrifically broad, unbearable acting (he only gets worse as the movie progresses), but the unsettling tone of “Hunting Season” is set.

The story eventually gets to Bowdrie, who’s trying to maintain a peaceful existence with Tag, who never really knew her deceased mother. The pair hunt and share meals, and Tag is offered the gift of a handgun for her birthday, identifying the delicacy of the relationship. This routine is disrupted by the discovery of January, who’s brought back to life by Bowdrie, a God-fearing man attempting to keep his distance from the reality of the stranger’s presence. “Hunting Season” gets tender with the find, as January befriends Tag, putting pressure on the father to understand what’s going on. The detective side of “Hunting Season” has its appeal, as Bowdrie learns more about the Brotherhood and January’s position in the Alejandro mess, but physical encounters don’t really begin until the last act, save for one standoff situation between Bowdrie and two goons visiting the cabin to see what’s inside.

Hunting Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (2.39:1 aspect ratio) for "Hunting Season" provides decent detail throughout the viewing experience. Age is a major focus, examining differences in skin particulars and hair. Clothing favors outdoor and cold weather gear, remaining passably fibrous. Exteriors are dimensional, exploring the rural settings. Interiors around households and criminal lairs maintain depth, providing a view of decorative additions. Color is satisfactory, delivering defined greenery with forest events. Warmer hues are found in living spaces, examining woodsy rooms and golden lighting. Gangster action maintains a cooler, steelier appearance. Skin tones are natural. Delineation hits a few patches of solidification. Some posterization is encountered, and a few shadowy moments slip into smeariness.

Hunting Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix does well with dialogue exchanges, which remain crisply defined throughout the listening event. Performance choices, some more extravagant than others, are understood, along with accents and hushed emotionality. Scoring maintains sharp instrumentation and dramatic support. Surrounds aren't too active, handling milder atmospherics and outdoor movement. Low-end emerges with dramatic stings. Sound effects are appreciable.

Hunting Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Electronic Press Kit (5:13, HD) is a basic understanding of "Hunting Season," with select members of the cast and crew (including Mel Gibson) going into salesperson mode as they examine the film's story and characterization.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:55, HD) is included.

Hunting Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Hunting Season" is certainly boosted by Gibson's performance, bringing a sandpapery quality to Bowdrie, playing a man who's all too aware of the world's threats, dealing with aggressors while attempting to keep his beloved daughter safe. There's emotional weight on the character's shoulders, and while Gibson isn't pushing too hard, he finds spaces of concern and intimidation to play, keeping the picture interesting. There's also a last act move to extreme violence, watching Bowdrie show off his fight and torture skills when push finally comes to shove. "Hunting Season" is a B-movie, and Collins isn't a technical master, leaving brutality basic, but there's a jolt to help carry the feature to a close, which is welcome. The rest of the film provides some effective relationship beats and tormented feelings, but consistency isn't found here, creating a bumpy viewing experience.