Julia Roberts has played professors before: The Oscar-winning actress’ latest role comes with a dark twist
In “After the Hunt,” Roberts plays a Yale professor whose finds herself caught in the middle of disturbing sexual misconduct claims.
Julia Roberts played an art history teacher in the 2003 film “Mona Lisa Smile” and a community college speech instructor in the 2011 movie “Larry Crowne.” But her portrayal of a respected Yale University professor in “After the Hunt,” released in theaters on October 10, may be her most talked-about education-related role yet.
Early acclaim from critics
For some industry insiders who have already seen the film, Roberts delivers one of her strongest performances in decades. Variety critic Guy Lodge called “After the Hunt” “her best film role in at least 20 years.” Robbie Collin, chief film critic for The Telegraph, echoed the sentiment, describing it as her “best performance in years.”
Controversial subject matter
However, the movie’s premise has sparked debate about whether it undermines feminist and #MeToo movements. Some early viewers have described it as uneasy and unsettling.
Roberts plays Alma, a popular university professor caught in the middle of sexual abuse allegations. Her colleague and close friend Hank Gibson, played by Andrew Garfield, is accused of misconduct by Maggie Resnick, Alma’s protégé and philosophy student, portrayed by Ayo Edebiri.
A tangled web of truth and perception
Without revealing too much, Maggie drunkenly confides in Alma after a party, claiming Hank acted inappropriately. When confronted, Hank denies the accusation, insisting Maggie is seeking revenge after he accused her of plagiarism.
In the film, the characters do not know which of the two to believe, bringing into play the delicate issue of sexual abuse allegations and the possibility of false accusations.
A complex protagonist
Screenwriter Nora Garrett says the story was built around Alma, who is also hiding her own secrets. Critics suggest it’s this moral complexity that allows Roberts to deliver such a compelling performance, though it may not be what viewers end up talking about most once “After the Hunt” reaches wider audiences.
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