The Head Hunter (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 12m (72 min)
- Director
- Jordan Downey
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Vertical Entertainment
- Budget
- $30K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
The Head Hunter Cast & Characters
Christopher Rygh leads the cast as Father, with Cora Kaufman as Daughter. Directed by Jordan Downey.
- Director Jordan Downey
- Christopher Rygh as Father
- Cora Kaufman as Daughter
More from Jordan Downey
More films directed by Jordan Downey, best-rated first: V/H/S/Beyond, ThanksKilling 3 and Craw Lake.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 8.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 52%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
8 ratings
See on Letterboxd
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
The Head Hunter Box Office & Budget
The Head Hunter grossed $380,448 worldwide on a $30,000 budget, 13 times what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$380.4K
13× its budget
- International
- $380.4K
- Budget
- $30K
The Head Hunter Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip The Head Hunter (2019) Exclusive Clip HD
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the solitary hunter's loyal horse?
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 Show fewer
- Łowca głów
Seen The Head Hunter?
Movies Like The Head Hunter
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Headhunter, The Head Hunter and The Huntress: Rune of the Dead.
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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