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Action thriller

Hunter Killer (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Hunter Killer (2018) movie poster

Hunter Killer is a 2018 action thriller directed by Donovan Marsh, starring Common as RA John Fisk, Gerard Butler and Linda Cardellini. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $31.7 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Critics gave it 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
38%
worldwide gross
$31.7M
Echo Score
65
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Hunter Killer (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Director
Donovan Marsh
Genres
Action , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hunter Killer About?

The premise of Hunter Killer without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Deep in the Arctic, a US submarine captain discovers a dangerous Russian coup underway. The president has been kidnapped, and global stability hangs in the balance. Facing a ticking clock, the captain assembles an elite team of Navy SEALs to rescue the leader and prevent a potential World War III. They must navigate perilous underwater conditions and confront formidable adversaries in a race against time.

Hunter Killer Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • shot in the foot
  • submarine
  • punched in the face
  • female u.s. president
  • walkie talkie
  • cook
  • kitchen
  • coin
  • manipulation
  • navy ship
  • submarine movie
  • submarine commander
+38 more
  • russian warship
  • american submarine
  • british actor plays an american character
  • russian enemy
  • water
  • mountain
  • deer
  • bow and arrow
  • based on novel
  • exploding body
  • two word title
  • electronic music score
  • special forces
  • snow
  • scottish highlands
  • scotland
  • training exercise
  • desert
  • army base
  • ambush
  • post cold war
  • unsubtitled foreign language
  • president
  • president of the united states
  • washington d.c.
  • pentagon
  • satellite
  • security camera
  • hand grenade
  • binoculars
  • night vision binoculars
  • rookie
  • watchtower
  • searchlight
  • pistol
  • silencer
  • ak 47
  • shotgun
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Cast & crew

Hunter Killer Cast & Characters

Common leads the cast as RA John Fisk, with Gerard Butler as Captain Joe Glass and Linda Cardellini as Jayne Norquist. Directed by Donovan Marsh; 22 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hunter Killer

· 18 more
Show all 22 cast members
Ratings

Hunter Killer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hunter Killer 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

65 /100

Hunter Killer Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Hunter Killer delivers competent thriller thrills through brisk pacing and sizable action set pieces, yet it struggles with uneven execution. The film provides consistent tension and sequence-to-sequence momentum that many found engaging, while others noted a lack of originality in its geopolitical premise and some protracted scenes. This results in a movie that is watchable in the moment but unlikely to resonate deeply in memory.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of craft, the direction and cinematography establish a serviceable visual framework, punctuated by deft action editing and occasional aesthetic flair. Some viewers praised the clarity of underwater sequences and the solid production design, while others pointed to imperfect CGI moments and lengthy set pieces. Overall, the film’s technical aspects are competent but fall short of standout artistry.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    Regarding character and emotion, the ensemble performance is generally reliable, with solid casting and moments of genuine rapport. However, the script offers limited depth for its leads, resulting in archetypal portrayals and broad-stroked motivations. The emotional stakes register unevenly, with a few resonant interactions amid otherwise thin character development. Net result: watchable but lacking memorable emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 65

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative maintains a generally brisk tempo and clear forward momentum through its action-driven plot. Some praised the tension and straightforward stakes, while others criticized a lack of originality, uneven pacing, and abrupt geopolitical shifts. The film contains engaging set pieces yet relies on familiar tropes and occasional meandering sequences. As a result, it feels serviceable but not particularly novel.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the score and sound design effectively heighten suspense and complement the action sequences with precise mixing. Visual effects and underwater imagery deliver intermittent thrills, though some CGI elements appear noticeable against more grounded sequences. The overall auditory and visual presentation contributes to a sufficiently immersive atmosphere, balancing commendable technical execution with occasional stylistic inconsistencies.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When evaluating rewatch potential, Hunter Killer offers a degree of immediate thrill and intermittent standout scenes, suggesting moderate replay value. Spectacular action moments and dependable performances encourage a second viewing, yet the predictable plot structure and limited character development reduce lasting appeal. In sum, the film remains watchable upon revisiting but is unlikely to sustain enthusiasm beyond its initial entertainment value.

Plot

Hunter Killer Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Hunter Killer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A U.S. submarine, the USS Tampa Bay, mysteriously disappears while tracking a Russian Akula-class submarine in the Arctic waters. In response, Rear Admiral John Fisk, portrayed by Common, orders the USS Arkansas, a Virginia-class submarine, to investigate the situation. The mission is headed by the unconventional and newly-promoted Commander Joe Glass, played by Gerard Butler.

As tensions rise, Jayne Norquist, the National Security Agency’s senior analyst, portrayed by Linda Cardellini, identifies a troubling connection between the timing of the submarine’s disappearance and a scheduled meeting involving the Russian Defense Minister and President Zakarin. Sensing the heightened risk, she recommends deploying surveillance teams to monitor the meeting closely.

Full summary

The whole story of Hunter Killer, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Hunter Killer Box Office & Budget

Hunter Killer grossed $31.7 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 79% of what it cost. $15.8 million came from the US and Canada and $15.9 million (50%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$31.7M

79% of its budget back

US & Canada
$15.8M
International
$15.9M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 50% Rest of the world 50%
Videos

Hunter Killer Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Clip “It's a Hit”
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Hunter Killer?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What submarine does Commander Joe Glass command in the movie?

Cars

Cars in Hunter Killer

11 cars on screen, including the 2004 UAZ Hunter and the 2004 UAZ Hunter.

All 11 cars
  • 2004 UAZ Hunter in Hunter Killer 2004 UAZ Hunter Important role
  • 2004 UAZ Hunter in Hunter Killer 2004 UAZ Hunter Important role
  • AM General HMMWV M1043 in Hunter Killer AM General HMMWV M1043 Minor role
  • 2015 Chrysler 300 in Hunter Killer 2015 Chrysler 300 Minor role
Details

Hunter Killer Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Охотник-убийца, მტაცებელი მკვლელი” and “헌터 킬러”.

Also known as
  • Охотник-убийца, მტაცებელი მკვლელი
  • 헌터 킬러
  • Hunter Killer Caza en las profundidades
  • ハンターキラー 潜航せよ:2018
  • 潛艦滅殺令
  • 冰海陷落
  • אויב במצולות
  • Хантер Киллер
  • Katil Avcısı
  • Унищожителят
  • Хантер-кіллер
  • Hunter Killer - Caccia negli abissi
+23 more
  • Hunter Killer: Caza en las profundidades
  • Útok z hlubin
  • A Hunter Killer küldetés
  • לצוד את האויב
  • Operațiunea Hunter Killer
  • 潛艦獵殺令
  • Fúria em Alto Mar
  • Ocean ognia
  • الصياد القاتل
  • Ловац убица
  • Opération Hunter-Killer
  • Misión submarino
  • Operacija: Hunter Killer
  • Podmornica smrti
  • สงครามอเมริกาผ่ารัสเซีย, მონადირე მკვლელი
  • Hunter Killer: Neviditeľný zabijak
  • ハンターキラー 潜航せよ
  • Lovec ubijalec
  • Mật Vụ Giải Cứu
  • قاتل شکارچی
  • Operācija: Hunter Killer
  • Hunter Killer: Caça a les profunditats
  • هانتر كيلر

Seen Hunter Killer?

FAQ

Hunter Killer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Hunter Killer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Hunter Killer?

Hunter Killer runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was Hunter Killer released?

Hunter Killer was released on October 26, 2018.

Who directed Hunter Killer?

Hunter Killer was directed by Donovan Marsh.

More films by Donovan Marsh

Who is in the cast of Hunter Killer?

Hunter Killer stars Common as RA John Fisk, Gerard Butler as Captain Joe Glass and Linda Cardellini as Jayne Norquist, among 22 credited actors.

How much did Hunter Killer make at the box office?

Hunter Killer grossed $31.7 million worldwide ($15.8 million domestic, $15.9 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Hunter Killer rated?

Hunter Killer has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Hunter Killer have a post-credit scene?

No. Hunter Killer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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