Mel Gibson is back doing what he does best—taking on corrupt, violent men with faith, grit, and a pack of cigarettes in Hunting Season. The film reminds audiences that Gibson still knows how to blend old-school action with real human stakes. He plays a quiet father who just wants to protect his teenage daughter, but one small act of compassion draws bloodthirsty killers to their doorstep.
The story centers on Bowdrie Webb, a single dad raising his daughter Tag in rural Oklahoma. They live off the land, pray before meals, and rely on no one. Tag takes after her father, hunts and fishes, and even knows how to skin what she catches. Their home life may be simple, but it’s built on discipline and faith. She often wonders about her deceased mother, a soft spot in her otherwise tough upbringing.
When Bow heads into town for supplies, Tag hears a woman’s scream by the river. The girl finds a badly wounded stranger named January. Bow brings her home and tends to her injuries. January refuses a hospital visit, and Bow soon learns why. The river nearby hides the proof that whoever hurt her will come back to finish the job.
Far away, a ruthless cartel boss named Alejandro, played by Jordi Mollà, gears up his men to track down a missing associate and retrieve something stolen. No witnesses are to be left alive. Mollà, known for playing dangerous drug lords in other films, delivers another feral performance. He stalks his prey like a predator enjoying the chase.
Director RJ Collins doesn’t rush the story. After a brutal opening, he slows things down to build the world Bow and Tag live in. Their peaceful bond makes the later violence hit harder. Bow’s training as a hunter becomes his greatest weapon, turning the Oklahoma wilderness into his battlefield. The movie shows how far a father will go when his child is in danger.
Hublitz, as Tag, gives the film heart. Her shock and fear in the face of real violence feel genuine, but she still fights when it matters. Gibson keeps Bow from becoming a comic book superman. Every shot he takes counts, and every wound looks painful. This is action earned the hard way, not fantasy brawling.
Faith plays a quiet but meaningful role. Bow and Tag pray because that’s who they are, not because the film wants to make a sermon out of it. Their belief adds depth without slowing the story. Even January, the wounded stranger, sees their faith as a reason she can trust them. They risk everything to protect her, knowing it may cost them both their lives.
Hunting Season doesn’t rely on big plot twists or surprise endings. The attraction lies in watching good people stand firm when evil comes calling. The action is tight, the emotion sincere, and the villains nasty enough to make every gunshot satisfying. Gibson’s return to old-fashioned, grounded filmmaking feels like a reminder that some heroes still pray before they pull the trigger. If there’s a sequel, it won’t be unwelcome.
The film is only getting a limited release in theaters, but is available for VOD through Fandango and other platforms.
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English (US) · 