So, everyone is talking about Julia Roberts new movie, and honestly, it’s about time. It’s called After the Hunt, and if you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the polarized takes. Some people are calling it a masterpiece, while others are basically ready to throw their popcorn at the screen.
It’s directed by Luca Guadagnino—the same guy who gave us Challengers and Call Me by Your Name—so you already know it’s not going to be some light, fluffy rom-com where Julia flashes that million-dollar smile while walking through a bookstore. No, this is much grittier.
The movie actually hit theaters back in October 2025 and just recently landed on Prime Video in late November, which is why the discourse has suddenly spiked again. It’s one of those films that’s designed to make you uncomfortable. It’s messy. It’s loud. And it’s arguably the most intense thing Roberts has done since Closer.
What actually happens in After the Hunt?
The plot is kind of a pressure cooker. Julia Roberts plays Alma Imhoff, a high-level ethics professor at an elite university (it’s giving Yale vibes). She’s smart, she’s icy, and she’s right on the edge of getting tenure.
Then everything goes sideways.
One of her star students, Maggie (played by the incredible Ayo Edebiri), comes forward with a heavy accusation. She says a fellow professor, Hank Gibson (Andrew Garfield), "crossed the line." Here’s the kicker: Hank is Alma’s colleague and close friend.
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The movie isn't a "whodunnit" in the traditional sense. It’s more of a "who do you believe and why?" sort of deal. Alma finds herself stuck in the middle of a moral nightmare. As she tries to navigate the university's internal politics, her own past starts bubbling up. We’re talking about a secret she’s kept for years that could absolutely wreck her career if it gets out.
Why people are so divided on Julia Roberts new movie
If you check out the reviews, you’ll see they are all over the place. Some critics at the Venice Film Festival were obsessed with it, but once it hit the general public, things got complicated.
The biggest gripe? The ambiguity.
The movie doesn’t give you an easy answer. It doesn’t tell you exactly what happened in that room between Maggie and Hank. For a lot of viewers, that’s infuriating. We’re so used to movies having a "good guy" and a "bad guy," but Guadagnino refuses to play that game.
Roberts herself addressed this at a press conference, basically saying that if the movie makes people talk—or even gets them a little mad—then it did its job. She’s playing a character who isn't always likable. Alma is dismissive of her students at times and seems more concerned with protecting the institution (and herself) than finding "the truth."
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The cast is actually stacked
You can’t talk about Julia Roberts new movie without mentioning the people she’s sharing the screen with. It’s a powerhouse lineup:
- Ayo Edebiri: She’s everywhere right now, but her performance as Maggie is devastating. She brings this raw, Gen Z energy that clashes perfectly with Roberts’ more "old school" academic chilliness.
- Andrew Garfield: He plays Hank with this "charming but maybe a little too comfortable" energy. You want to believe him, but there’s just enough doubt to keep you on edge.
- Michael Stuhlbarg: He plays Alma’s husband, Frederik. Their marriage is clearly on life support, and he adds a layer of domestic drama that makes the whole thing feel even more claustrophobic.
- Chloë Sevigny: She shows up as the university psychiatrist, and honestly, every scene she's in is a highlight.
What most people get wrong about the ending
Without spoiling the whole thing, let's just say the ending is a Rorschach test. A lot of people think the movie is "anti-feminist" because it questions the motives of the accuser. But that’s a bit of a shallow take.
If you look closer, the film is actually a critique of power. It’s about how people in high places—whether they are professors, donors, or even students from wealthy families—use their status to manipulate the narrative.
The title itself, After the Hunt, comes from an old Otto von Bismarck quote: "People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election." It’s a movie about lying. Everyone is doing it. Alma is lying to her husband; Hank is lying to the board; Maggie might be stretching the truth to get ahead. It’s a house of cards.
Is it worth a watch?
Honestly? Yes. Even if you end up hating it, you’ll probably have a twenty-minute argument about it with whoever you watched it with. That’s rare these days. Most movies just evaporate from your brain the second the credits roll. This one sticks.
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Plus, seeing Julia Roberts go full "prestige drama" is a treat. She’s not doing the "America's Sweetheart" thing here. She’s playing a woman who is tired, cynical, and desperate to keep her life from imploding. It’s a reminder of why she’s been a movie star for nearly forty years.
What’s next for Julia Roberts?
If the heavy themes of After the Hunt are a bit much for you, don’t worry. The "Ocean’s" gang is officially getting back together.
Just this month, during the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet, Julia confirmed that she’s seen the script for Ocean’s 14. She said it actually "surprised" her with how good it was. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon are all expected to return, with production likely starting later this year.
So, we’re getting the best of both worlds: the gritty, provocative Julia in After the Hunt, and the cool, heist-master Julia in the near future.
How to watch it right now
If you’re ready to dive into the controversy, here is the deal:
- Check Prime Video: Since Amazon MGM produced it, that’s the primary streaming home. It’s currently available for all subscribers.
- Look for the "Director's Cut" Rumors: There’s been a lot of talk on Reddit about a longer version existing. For now, the theatrical cut is 139 minutes, which is already a lot of movie.
- Watch the trailer first: If you aren't sure if you're in the mood for a "tense academic thriller," the trailer gives a pretty honest look at the vibe. It’s heavy on the dialogue and low on the action.
The best way to approach this film is to go in with zero expectations of a happy ending. It’s a "thinker." Grab some coffee, put your phone away, and pay attention to the dialogue—because in this movie, what people don't say is usually more important than what they do.