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Fantasy horror film

The Head Hunter (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Head Hunter (2019) movie poster

The Head Hunter is a 2019 fantasy horror film directed by Jordan Downey, starring Christopher Rygh as Father and Cora Kaufman. It runs 1 hour 12 minutes and earned $380,448 worldwide on a $30,000 budget. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.

IMDb rating
8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$380.4K
Echo Score
77
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The Head Hunter (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 12m (72 min)
Director
Jordan Downey
Genres
Fantasy , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$30K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Head Hunter About?

The premise of The Head Hunter without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A lone medieval warrior relentlessly hunts the forces of darkness, his grim trophy room a constant reminder of his daughter's death years prior. Consumed by a desire for revenge, he journeys through a dangerous wilderness, seeking the beast responsible. When a chance at vengeance arises, he finds himself confronted with a disturbing and unexpected revelation that complicates his quest.

The Head Hunter Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • culture
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Cast & crew

The Head Hunter Cast & Characters

Christopher Rygh leads the cast as Father, with Cora Kaufman as Daughter. Directed by Jordan Downey.

From the director

More from Jordan Downey

More films directed by Jordan Downey, best-rated first: V/H/S/Beyond, ThanksKilling 3 and Craw Lake.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Head Hunter Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Head Hunter 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (48).

77 /100

The Head Hunter Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Head Hunter distinguishes itself through meticulous visual execution and a focused performance, though its narrative scope remains limited. The film’s direction and cinematography earn consistent praise for capturing stark landscapes, and the lead actor’s understated portrayal reinforces the film’s emotional weight. However, reviewers also note that the minimal plot and deliberate pacing can feel repetitive and underdeveloped. On balance, The Head Hunter delivers a compelling sensory experience but may leave some audiences wanting more substantive story engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    Art & Craft in The Head Hunter is a clear strength, driven by deliberate direction and expansive cinematography. The film’s choice of natural landscapes provides a compelling backdrop, and production design details—especially in armor and gore—display considerable resourcefulness. Editing contributes to a measured pacing, reinforcing an immersive atmosphere. Overall, the art direction and visual craftsmanship stand out as one of the film’s most accomplished elements.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    In terms of Character & Emotion, the film centers on a singular performance that carries much of the emotional weight. The lead actor’s restrained and soulful portrayal conveys grief with subtlety, and the absence of dialogue emphasizes nonverbal storytelling. At the same time, limited character interactions and minimal development constrain emotional resonance for some viewers. Overall, the film’s central performance is evocative, though character depth remains somewhat underexplored.

  • Story & Flow 48

    When it comes to Story & Flow, the film adopts a minimalistic structure that underscores its thematic focus. Reviewers note that early exposition delivers most key information, leading to repetitive character moments and a sense of thin narrative content. Pace is slow, which underscores atmosphere but can feel drawn out in places. In sum, while the story’s concise design supports mood, it lacks the progression and complexity to fully engage.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film excels at creating a cohesive audiovisual landscape. Visual style employs an understated color palette and detailed gore effects that reinforce the bleak fantasy world. Sound design and a sparse musical score heighten tension while maintaining the film’s intimate scale. Overall, sensory elements are tightly integrated, offering an immersive atmosphere that supports the film’s dark narrative tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    When considering Rewatch Factor, the film’s atmospheric depth and striking visuals create a distinctive aesthetic that viewers may revisit to uncover thematic nuances. However, the sparse plot and limited character dynamics may reduce repeat engagement for those seeking narrative complexity. Overall, the film holds moderate rewatch value, particularly for fans drawn to its unique dark fantasy atmosphere.

Plot

The Head Hunter Plot Summary

What happens in The Head Hunter from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the Dark Ages, a solitary hunter known as The Father Christopher Rygh lives in a remote cabin, accompanied only by his horse Jakke. He earns his living as a bounty hunter, tracking beasts that terrorize a nearby kingdom and keeping the land in check through relentless, patient pursuit.

Full summary

The whole story of The Head Hunter, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Head Hunter Box Office & Budget

The Head Hunter grossed $380,448 worldwide on a $30,000 budget, 13 times what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$380.4K

13× its budget

International
$380.4K
Budget
$30K
Videos

The Head Hunter Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

The Head Hunter | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
  • Clip The Head Hunter (2019) Exclusive Clip HD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Head Hunter?

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 is the name of the solitary hunter's loyal horse?

Details

The Head Hunter Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Время монстров” and “Kelle Avcısı”.

Also known as
  • Время монстров
  • Kelle Avcısı
  • 猎头武士
  • Ловецът на глави
  • 헤드헌터
  • Viking Vengeance
  • شکارچی سر
  • El Cazador De Monstruos
  • 獵頭武士
  • A szörnyvadász
  • צייד הראשים
  • Час монстрів
+1 more
  • Łowca głów

Seen The Head Hunter?

FAQ

The Head Hunter FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Head Hunter?

The Head Hunter runs 1 hour 12 minutes (72 minutes).

When was The Head Hunter released?

The Head Hunter was released on April 5, 2019.

Who directed The Head Hunter?

The Head Hunter was directed by Jordan Downey.

More films by Jordan Downey

Who is in the cast of The Head Hunter?

The Head Hunter stars Christopher Rygh as Father and Cora Kaufman as Daughter.

How much did The Head Hunter make at the box office?

The Head Hunter grossed $380,448 worldwide on a budget of $30,000.

How is The Head Hunter rated?

The Head Hunter has 8.0/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Head Hunter have a post-credit scene?

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

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