Get ready to dive into a cinematic mystery that will leave you questioning everything—and everyone. Julia Roberts is back on the big screen, and this time, she’s unraveling a web of secrets in After the Hunt. In a recent interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, the Oscar-winning actress peeled back the layers of her latest film, where she stars as Alma, a Yale professor whose life is upended when her student, Maggie (played by the brilliant Ayo Edebiri), accuses her colleague Hank (Andrew Garfield) of a shocking incident. But here’s where it gets controversial: Roberts hints that the film isn’t just about who’s telling the truth—it’s about why anyone tells the truth in the first place. And this is the part most people miss: the film doesn’t hand you answers; it forces you to question loyalty, doubt, and the gray areas in between.
Directed by the visionary Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, Call Me By Your Name), After the Hunt boasts a powerhouse cast, including Michael Stuhlbarg, Chloë Sevigny, and Lío Mehiel. Roberts didn’t hold back her praise for her co-stars, especially Edebiri and Garfield. She gushed about Edebiri’s ability to bring depth to Maggie, saying, ‘It’s been such a gift to sit beside Ayo, someone I deeply admire, and witness how she crafts her character and views the world.’ As for Garfield, Roberts recalled an intense scene they shared—his very first on set—that left her in awe. ‘First take, he just blew in and delivered this incredible, lengthy scene,’ she said. ‘When they called ‘Cut,’ I was like, ‘Whoa, I’m sweating.’’
But what’s truly fascinating is how the cast bonded before filming even began. Roberts, Guadagnino, and the crew spent weeks living together at her home, with her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder, playing chef. ‘It was the fast track to really knowing each other,’ Roberts explained. ‘I love a good puppy pile of people, and this group wasn’t just talented—they felt like family.’
At the Los Angeles premiere, Roberts shared a bold hope for the film: ‘I want it to spark conversations, but more importantly, I want it to create space for listening.’ In a culture where listening seems like a lost art, After the Hunt challenges us to slow down and truly hear one another. But here’s the question that’ll linger long after the credits roll: Can we ever truly know the truth, or are we all just telling the stories we want to believe?
Catch After the Hunt in select theaters October 10 and nationwide October 17. And when you do, don’t just watch—engage. Because this isn’t just a movie; it’s a mirror to our own complexities. What do you think? Is truth ever absolute, or is it always shaded by perspective? Let’s talk—the comments are waiting.
