Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Plot summary

The Wild Hunt (2009) Plot Summary & Timeline

The Wild Hunt (2009) movie poster

The Wild Hunt is a 2009 drama and thriller film directed by Alexandre Franchi and Nicolas Wright, running 1 hour 36 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 184 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 11 key events in order, 4 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for The Wild Hunt.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
11
characters profiled
4
themes explained
3
The Wild Hunt (2009) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is The Wild Hunt About?

The premise of The Wild Hunt in 310 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where the past is painstakingly reenacted, a sprawling live‑action role‑playing arena transforms medieval lore into a living, breathing landscape of Celts, elves, Vikings and ritual‑bound myth. The atmosphere hums with clanging steel, whispered incantations, and the restless energy of participants who treat the game as both sport and sacrament. Within this fragile fantasy, the line between performance and reality is as thin as a woven banner, promising both wonder and danger for anyone who steps onto its soil.

Erik Magnusson arrives at the edge of the arena haunted by a personal fracture—his relationship with Evelyn has splintered under the weight of family strain and unspoken grief. When he learns she has slipped into the immersive world, drawn by its promise of escape, his resolve shifts from indifference to a determined quest to find her. His journey is as much about confronting his own past as it is about navigating the unpredictable currents of a game that lives by its own rules.

Within the game’s tapestry, Murtagh commands a devoted faction, his ambitions tied to an ancient rite known as the Wild Hunt—a ritual that could tilt the balance of an upcoming mass battle. Opposite him, Bjorn, Erik’s estranged brother, haunts the periphery, his presence hinting at unresolved family ties that may surface as the search unfolds. The stakes feel mythic, each player a character in a story that blurs the boundaries between scripted legend and lived experience.

The tone of the saga is unmistakably tragic, a slow‑burning descent into a realm where imagination and consequence collide. As Erik moves deeper, the game’s structured chaos becomes a mirror, reflecting hidden desires, loyalties, and the peril of crossing from observer to participant. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation, inviting viewers to wonder how far the characters will go before the fantasy they cherish begins to reshape their very selves.

Full plot

What Happens in The Wild Hunt?

The complete story of The Wild Hunt, from the first scene to the last, in 184 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Erik Magnusson and his girlfriend Evelyn have a falling out, in part due to the stress from Erik’s dying, incoherent father. She leaves to live in a live action role-playing game whose inhabitants include Celts, elves, and Vikings, drawing from the Middle Ages. Murtagh, the leader of a group within the game, wants Evelyn to participate in the Wild Hunt, a ritual that, if successful, will give his players a significant advantage in an upcoming mass battle.

Erik pursues Evelyn only to disrupt the game’s proceedings. He partners with his estranged brother Bjorn and other players and referees on a quest to find Evelyn. He rescues her from the Wild Hunt and the two are reconciled, despite Murtagh’s efforts to persuade her to come back.

Having lost Evelyn and been humiliated by Erik, Murtagh snaps and ritually cuts off his gamer wrist band. He leads his followers in a vicious assault on the main camp, injuring people and killing Erik. Murtagh flees, witnessing Evelyn commit suicide as he escapes through the woods.

Days later, Bjorn breaks into Murtagh’s home and beats him to death.

Timeline

The Wild Hunt Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

11 key events in the order they happen, from “Fallout at home” to “Bjorn avenges Erik and Evelyn”. 11 events name a place, across 8 locations.

  1. 1

    Fallout at home

    Erik and Evelyn have a bitter fallout driven in part by Erik's dying father. The strain pushes Evelyn to leave their life together and move into a live-action role-playing setting.

    When:start of the story Where:Erik's home

  2. 2

    Evelyn joins the LARP

    Evelyn decides to immerse herself in the live-action role-playing game, leaving her old life behind. She relocates to the game's venue, where medieval-inspired factions like Celts, elves and Vikings populate the world.

    When:soon after the fallout Where:LARP venue

  3. 3

    Murtagh pushes Evelyn toward the Wild Hunt

    Murtagh, the game's leader, pushes for Evelyn to participate in the Wild Hunt ritual to gain a tactical edge. The ritual is positioned as a key factor in an upcoming mass battle.

    When:early in the plot Where:LARP camp main camp

  4. 4

    Erik pursues Evelyn to disrupt the proceedings

    Feeling the need to derail the plan, Erik pursues Evelyn through the game setup. He intends to disrupt the Wild Hunt and prevent her involvement.

    When:during pursuit Where:LARP camp grounds

  5. 5

    Erik teams up with Bjorn to find Evelyn

    Erik partners with his estranged brother Bjorn and other players and referees to organize a search for Evelyn. The alliance pools resources to locate her within the expansive game environment.

    When:as the search begins Where:LARP camp grounds

  6. 6

    Erik rescues Evelyn from the Wild Hunt

    Erik intervenes and frees Evelyn from the Wild Hunt ritual. The rescue marks a turning point and opens the way for reconciliation.

    When:during the rescue Where:Wild Hunt arena within the LARP camp

  7. 7

    Erik and Evelyn reconcile

    Following the rescue, Erik and Evelyn reconcile and attempt to rebuild their relationship amid the chaos of the game. They face ongoing pressure from Murtagh's schemes, but their reunion gives them new resolve.

    When:post-rescue Where:main camp

  8. 8

    Murtagh cuts off his gamer wrist band

    Humiliated by the turn of events, Murtagh ritually cuts off his gamer wrist band, severing his connection to the group's control. He then prepares to assert his power through force.

    When:after humiliation Where:main camp

  9. 9

    Murtagh leads assault on the main camp

    Murtagh leads his followers in a brutal assault on the main camp, injuring several people and killing Erik in the chaos. The attack shatters the camp's defenses and threatens everyone involved.

    When:during the assault Where:main camp

  10. 10

    Evelyn's suicide in the woods

    As violence erupts, Evelyn commits suicide in the woods rather than be captured or controlled. Murtagh flees the scene through the trees, his plans collapsing in the wake of her death.

    When:during the escape Where:woods

  11. 11

    Bjorn avenges Erik and Evelyn

    Days later, Bjorn breaks into Murtagh's home and beats him to death in retaliation for Evelyn and Erik's deaths. The act ends the immediate threat but leaves a trace of vengeance in its wake.

    When:days later Where:Murtagh's home

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in The Wild Hunt?

4 characters, among them Erik Magnusson, Evelyn and Shaman Murtagh: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 3 of them link to the actor’s page.

  • EM

    Erik Magnusson

    Played by Ricky Mabe

    Erik is Evelyn’s partner, strained by the stress of his dying father. He pursues Evelyn to disrupt the Wild Hunt but ultimately collaborates with his estranged brother Bjorn to rescue her. His efforts backfire, leading to a brutal outcome that ends with his death.

    • 💪 Determined
    • ⚔️ Protective
    • 🔥 Impulsive
  • E

    Evelyn

    Evelyn seeks escape from personal pressure by joining the LARP, becoming central to the Wild Hunt plan. Her choices drive the plot and put her at odds with the game’s leadership. Her arc explores agency, vulnerability, and the costs of immersion in fantasy.

    • 🌟 Complex
    • 🎭 Performer
    • 🏃‍♀️ Escapist
  • SM

    Shaman Murtagh

    Played by Trevor Hayes

    Murtagh is the leader of a group within the game who pushes for Evelyn to participate in the Wild Hunt to gain a tactical edge. After losing Evelyn, he snaps and orchestrates a vicious attack on the main camp, resulting in injury and tragedy. His pursuit of power ends with his downfall at the hands of Bjorn.

    • 🎭 Manipulative
    • 🗡️ Violent
    • 🔮 Ritualist
  • B

    Bjorn

    Played by Mark Antony Krupa

    Bjorn is Erik’s estranged brother who joins in the pursuit to find Evelyn. He plays a pivotal role in turning the tide against Murtagh and later retaliates by beating Murtagh to death, sealing the cycle of revenge that the story centers on.

    • 🧭 Loyal
    • 🗡️ Protector
    • 🔁 Brotherly
Setting

Where and When Is The Wild Hunt Set?

The Wild Hunt is set in LARP camp and Surrounding woods (Modern day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Modern day

The events unfold in present times within a contemporary LARP culture. The film contrasts real-life relationship stress with immersive fantasy elements. The Wild Hunt ritual drives key plot moments and escalates the stakes during the in-game event.

Where

LARP camp, Surrounding woods

The action centers around a large live-action role-playing camp where players assume medieval factions like Celts, elves and Vikings. The setting blends tents, prop gear and wooded terrain, creating a mood of immersion and competition. It functions as a social arena where ritual elements of the game bleed into real-life tensions and conflicts.

  • 🏕️ LARP camp
  • 🌲 Forest setting
  • 🛡️ Medieval fantasy environment
Themes

What Are the Themes of The Wild Hunt?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power and Obsession, Reality vs Fantasy and Violence and Consequences.

  1. 01

    Power and Obsession

    Murtagh uses the Wild Hunt as a lever to gain strategic advantage for his group. The pursuit of control over both players and outcomes reveals how obsession can distort judgment. The conflict escalates into violence as a consequence of chasing dominance within a game that feels real.

  2. 02

    Reality vs Fantasy

    The line between the game and real life blurs as players invest emotionally in in-game roles. Evelyn’s immersion in the LARP becomes a catalyst for the couple’s tensions and eventual choices. The ritualistic world of fantasy collides with ordinary relationships, exposing the fragility of both.

  3. 03

    Violence and Consequences

    Murtagh’s assault on the main camp results in injuries and the death of Erik, illustrating how fanaticism can spill into real harm. Evelyn’s subsequent crisis and suicide underscore the irreversible costs of entangled loyalties. Bjorn’s later act of violence against Murtagh completes the fatal chain triggered by passion and revenge.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is The Wild Hunt?

Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Dark
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High
Ending
Bleak

A tense and paranoid descent into a fantasy game that turns dangerously real, building with claustrophobic intensity towards a grim and tragic conclusion.

  • tense
  • paranoid
  • claustrophobic
  • obsessive
  • tragic
  • grim
  • live action role playing
  • obsession
  • relationship breakdown
  • blurred reality

Content notes: suicide, attempted rape, graphic violence, revenge killing.

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Wild Hunt

. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Read next

Movies Like The Wild Hunt With a Plot Summary

5 films close to The Wild Hunt in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: The Wild Hunt (2011) and Wildling (2018) lead.

All plot summaries

Missing a Movie Plot Summary?

Tell us which film you want explained next: the full story, the timeline, the characters and the ending.

Request a summary
FAQ

The Wild Hunt Plot Questions

5 quick answers about The Wild Hunt, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is The Wild Hunt about?

In a world where the past is painstakingly reenacted, a sprawling live‑action role‑playing arena transforms medieval lore into a living, breathing landscape of Celts, elves, Vikings and ritual‑bound myth.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does The Wild Hunt take place?

The Wild Hunt is set in LARP camp and Surrounding woods (Modern day). The events unfold in present times within a contemporary LARP culture. The film contrasts real-life relationship stress with immersive fantasy elements.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in The Wild Hunt?

The story follows Erik Magnusson (played by Ricky Mabe), Evelyn, Shaman Murtagh (played by Trevor Hayes) and Bjorn (played by Mark Antony Krupa).

All the characters

What are the main themes of The Wild Hunt?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Power and Obsession, Reality vs Fantasy and Violence and Consequences.

The themes explained

Who directed The Wild Hunt?

The Wild Hunt (2009) was directed by Alexandre Franchi and Nicolas Wright and runs 1 hour 36 minutes.

Alexandre Franchi’s films

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app