The Hunt — Official Trailer | Apple TV
The Hunt Series on Apple TV: A Deadly Game Begins in the Woods
Apple TV’s newest international original, The Hunt, is not your average weekend thriller. Set deep in the French countryside, this high-stakes survival drama begins with a simple hunting trip—and spirals into a brutal and deeply personal war. With an all-star French cast and a chilling premise, The Hunt positions itself as one of the most gripping European thrillers of 2025.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about the series, its story, the talent behind the scenes, and why it's already making waves in international media.
🦌 A Weekend in the Woods Turns Into a Nightmare
At the center of The Hunt are four longtime friends who treat hunting in the woods as a sacred ritual—a time to relax, bond, and escape daily life. But on this particular Sunday, their usual routine takes a turn. They encounter another group of hunters, initially appearing harmless. But suspicion begins to rise when the second group starts their hunt unusually late.
That unease turns into chaos when one of the friends is shot.
In self-defense, Franck—played by three-time César Award winner Benoît Magimel—fires back, apparently killing one of the attackers. What follows is a tense escape, emotional panic, and an unspoken pact to keep what happened a secret.
But secrets don’t stay buried long—especially in the wild.
🎯 What Starts in the Forest… Follows Them Home
Once the group returns home, they do everything they can to move on—avoiding the police, staying quiet with their families, trying to act like nothing ever happened.
But soon, they realize someone is watching.
Threatening letters arrive. Ominous signs are left near their homes. And when one family member finds something gory near their doorstep, the friends realize that the other hunting party has followed them back—and they want revenge.
With their lives, families, and sanity at stake, the group makes a terrifying decision: go back into the forest and finish what they started.
🔥 The Trailer Is a Masterclass in Suspense
The first official trailer released by Apple TV paints a chilling picture. We see:
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Long tracking shots through silent, foggy woods
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Tense close-ups of the characters breaking under pressure
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Moments of brutal violence that come without warning
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Families being pulled into the war they never signed up for
What begins as a slow-burning mystery quickly erupts into a psychological war zone—with every character forced to choose between morality, survival, and loyalty.
🎬 Directed by Cédric Anger: No Stranger to Darkness
The Hunt is helmed by acclaimed French filmmaker Cédric Anger, best known for his 2014 true crime film Next Time I'll Aim for the Heart. Anger brings a signature tone—one that blends realism, tension, and psychological depth.
In an interview with Gaumont, he described The Hunt as:
“A story about ordinary people who face an impossible moral question. What happens when self-defense becomes vengeance?”
Anger’s direction is supported by a strong production team, including:
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Isabelle Degeorges and Clémentine Vaudaux (executive producers)
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Alexis Barqueiro and Sidonie Dumas
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Production company: Gaumont (Lupin, Drops of God)
🇫🇷 A Star-Studded French Cast
The show’s emotional weight comes not just from its story, but from its decorated ensemble of French actors:
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Benoît Magimel – as Franck, the reluctant leader
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Mélanie Laurent – two-time César winner, known for Inglourious Basterds
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Damien Bonnard
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Cédric Appietto
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Manuel Guillot
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Frédéric Maranber
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Angelyna Danabe-Mignot
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Paul Beaurepaire
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Yann Goven
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Sarah Pachoud
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Patrick De Vallette
Their performances elevate the show from a standard thriller to a slow-burning character study.
📺 Release Date and Episode Schedule
Apple TV+ will release The Hunt with a two-episode premiere on December 3, 2025. After that, new episodes will drop every Wednesday.
📅 Release Timeline:
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December 3: Episodes 1 & 2
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Following Wednesdays: One episode weekly
The total number of episodes hasn’t been announced, but early press suggests a limited series format.
🧠 Themes: Survival, Guilt, and the Price of Silence
The Hunt explores more than just violence. At its core, it’s about:
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How far people will go to protect their families
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What silence and guilt can do to the human mind
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The psychological cost of doing "the right thing" when lives are on the line
If you enjoyed shows like The Revenant, Liaison, or The Bridge, The Hunt might be your next obsession.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What language is The Hunt in?
It’s primarily in French, with subtitles available in multiple languages on Apple TV+.
2. Do I need a subscription to watch The Hunt?
Yes. The Hunt is an Apple TV+ original series, and requires an active subscription to view.
3. Is The Hunt based on a true story?
No, the series is a fictional thriller, but draws inspiration from real-life psychological tension and moral dilemmas.