An overlooked action thriller movie gem is airing on TV tonight

The controversial film was called 'the most talked about movie of the year... that no one's actually seen'.

The film sees 12 working-class strangers wake up in a remote clearing with no idea where they are or how they got there.

It turns out they have been kidnapped by ruthless elites (the leader of which is played by two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby) who have gathered to hunt the 12 for sport.

One of those kidnapped – an army veteran named Crystal (Betty Gilpin, Glow) – decides to fight back, however.

Co-written by Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) and directed by Craig Zobel (Mare of Easttown, The Penguin), the release of The Hunt was overshadowed both by Covid-19 and the movie becoming embroiled in a controversy involving US President Donald Trump.

Though the politician didn't name the movie, he appeared to accuse it in a Tweet ahead of its release of being made "in order to inflame and cause chaos". You can read more about this right here.

The Trump controversy led to the film dubbing itself in its marketing "the most talked about movie of the year no one's actually seen".

The Hunt also had its release delayed as a result of the Dayton and El Paso mass shootings in 2019.

Though these events dominated the initial discussion around Lindelof and Zobel's film, we'd argue that the pair made a solid, mean-and-lean horror action thriller with a ferocious lead turn by Gilpin.

Also, The Hunt's strong dose of satirical black comedy and its great supporting cast make it well worth seeking out.

The latter includes Emma Roberts (American Horror Story), Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl), Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Ike Barinholtz (The Studio) and Macon Blair (Oppenheimer).

The Hunt is airing on TV tonight on Film4 at 11.20 pm. It is also currently streaming on Prime Video.