Heart of the Hunter (film)
{{Infobox film
| image =
| director = Mandlakayise W. Dube
| writer = Deon Meyer
| screenplay = William Gobbler
| based_on = The Novel "The Heart of The Hunter" by Deon Meyer
| producer = Deon Meyer
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| studio = Deon Meyer Films
| distributor = Netflix
| released = {{Film date|2024|03|29|df=y}}
| runtime = 1:47:37
| country = South Africa
| language = English & isiXhosa
| budget = $2 Million
| gross = $4.78 Million
}}
Heart of the Hunter is a 2024 film directed by Mandla Dube. It stars Bonko Khoza, Connie Ferguson and Nicole Fortuin. The film is based on Deon Meyer's novel of the same name.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=Deon Meyer's record-breaking HEART OF THE HUNTER shoots to the top of the Netflix Charts |url=http://blakefriedmann.co.uk/news/deon-meyer-heart-of-the-hunter-tops-netflix-chart |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Blake Friedmann |language=en-GB}} Deon Meyer is also the co-writer of the film along with Willem Grobler.
Plot
Zuko Khumalo (Bonko Khoza) is a retired South African assassin when he get call from the daughter of an old friend Johnny Klein (Peter Butler) who has been kidnapped while uncovering a dangerous conspiracy at the heart of the South African government.
Cast
- Bonko Khoza as Zuko Khumalo
- Connie Ferguson as Molebogeng Kwena
- Tim Theron as Tiger De Klerk
- Nicole Fortuin as Naledi Gumede
- Milan Murray as Beth Manning
- Masasa Mbangeni as Maline Mambi
- Boleng Mogosti as Phakamile Mambi
- Sisanda Henna as Dazza Mtina
- Peter Butler as Johhny Klein
- Deon Cotzee as Mike Bressler
- Wanda Banda as Alison Baloyi
- Connie Chiume as Thandiwe Make a
- Dann-Jacques Mouton as Sergeant Nervill Daniels
- Siya Mayola as Lawrence Rapulana
In addition, Natalie Walsh, Stephen Erasmus, Grant Ross, Ndalo Mshilwa, Gert Uys and Kabelo Chalatsane appeared in the film.
Release
The film was released on Netflix on 29 March 2024.
Reception
The film mostly received negative reviews from film critics.{{Cite web |title='Heart of the Hunter' Netflix Review: Stream It Or Skip It? |url=https://decider.com/2024/03/29/heart-of-the-hunter-netflix-review/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title="Heart of the Hunter" Review: Another Action Thriller That Flatters to Deceive - Afrocritik |url=https://www.afrocritik.com/heart-of-the-hunter-review-action-thriller/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |language=en}} It holds a 67% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.{{Cite web |title=Heart of the Hunter {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/heart_of_the_hunter |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}} Mrinal Rajaram of Cinema Express gave it a rating of 3/5 said while Lori Meek of Ready Steady Cut gave it a rating of 2.5/3 and called it "Fast-Paced Action, But An Overly Complicated Story".{{Cite web |title=Heart of the Hunter Review – Fast-Paced Action, But An Overly Complicated Story |url=https://readysteadycut.com/2024/03/29/heart-of-the-hunter-review/}}