What After the Hunt‘s Ending Is Really Trying to Say

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Alma, a Yale philosophy professor played by Julia Roberts, is throwing a sophisticated party at her apartment with her husband, Frederik (Michael Stuhlbarg). The guest list includes colleagues and graduate students, like Professor Hank (Andrew Garfield), a friend of Alma’s, and her student Maggie (Ayo Edebiri). After an evening of lively discussion, the party winds down and everyone goes home.

The following day, a very upset Maggie is waiting for Alma, and shares shocking news: Hank walked her home after the party, went inside her apartment, and violated her boundaries. This event sets the story in motion for *After the Hunt*, a film directed by Luca Guadagnino (known for *Queer* and *Challengers*) and written by Nora Garrett. Since its debut at the Venice Film Festival in August, the movie’s portrayal of power imbalances on campus has caused considerable debate, and its release in theaters this weekend is expected to bring that conversation back to the forefront.

The film *After the Hunt* immediately aims to stir up conversation, signaled by its opening titles which deliberately echo those of Woody Allen’s films. However, this provocative start turns out to be more of a distraction than anything truly shocking. While the film is based on a controversial premise, it’s primarily a thoughtful exploration of its characters, rather than a sensational #MeToo story or a harsh critique of cancel culture or college environments. Nevertheless, the way the filmmakers conclude the story is interesting and worth considering, especially when compared to other similar films that have come out in recent years.

What really happened between Hank and Maggie?

Even after the movie ends, I was still left wondering exactly what went down between Maggie and Hank. The film doesn’t offer a clear explanation through flashbacks or a confession. However, a scene with Hank and Alma does give you a pretty strong hint about who’s being truthful. We see Alma return to her secret apartment – a place she uses to escape the stress of work. After a really brutal argument with Maggie, one where Alma unleashed a torrent of insults before Maggie slapped her, Alma finds Hank passed out in her bed. It’s a shocking discovery, especially since she hasn’t seen him in weeks, and it definitely makes you question everything.

Hank and Alma have a strained and uncomfortable conversation, during which Hank breaks down and angrily blames Maggie for ruining his life. Alma counters that he ruined it himself by breaking their established boundaries. He reveals they had an affair, admitting he only ever broke the rules for her. The scene escalates as Hank attempts to kiss Alma despite her clear rejection, forcing her to push him away. Filled with shame, he leaves and is never seen again. This moment highlights a disregard for consent, mirroring the accusations Maggie made, and while not absolute proof, it’s the only evidence the film provides.

What happened in Alma’s past?

While a conflict between Maggie and Hank kicks off the story in *After the Hunt*, the film is truly about Alma and the decisions she makes. She consistently pressures Maggie to stay silent about the incident, discouraging her from speaking up. This creates a deep divide between them, eventually leading Maggie’s classmates to turn against the professor. Alma grows increasingly frustrated while teaching, often arguing fiercely with her students. Her marriage is falling apart, and her likely path to tenure is now seriously threatened. Everything is unraveling for Alma, and the most rewarding part of *After the Hunt* is watching Roberts deliver a remarkably subtle and complex performance as she struggles to hold her life together.

Alma finally confessed her painful past to Frederik after collapsing and waking up in the hospital. When she was fifteen and living in Sweden, she had a relationship with an older family friend. After it ended, she falsely claimed he had abused her, and he tragically died by suicide. “I deliberately told a lie to cause him the most pain,” she admitted. While she was a minor, she now says they had a loving connection, and she’s been consumed by regret for ruining his life ever since. Although Alma feels responsible for the devastating outcome, it’s clear she was a child who was exploited by an adult. Frederik recognizes this as well, confirming that Alma was, in fact, the victim.

It’s now apparent that *After the Hunt* is fundamentally an exploration of living with pain and trauma – how it develops and persists long after a harmful event, potentially for years or even decades.

One last conversation

Five years after their initial meeting, Maggie and Alma found themselves back at the Indian restaurant Hank used to love. They exchanged polite small talk about their lives, and Maggie revealed she’d let go of any desire for revenge. She confirmed that Hank hadn’t faced any further legal consequences after losing his job at Yale, and she hadn’t seen him since.

The dynamic between Maggie and Alma feels strikingly different and surprisingly liberating. The old patterns of Maggie seeking Alma’s approval, and Alma feeling obligated to support her, have vanished. Years later and away from the university setting, they no longer feel the need to feign affection. Maggie bluntly admits she once hoped Alma would fail, a confession Alma receives with little reaction. She also confesses to being unsure if she wanted to emulate Alma or be in a relationship with her, again met with Alma’s calm indifference. The conversation is awkward, and Maggie appears surprised to learn Alma is still with Frederik. Alma, in turn, expresses relief that Maggie has moved on from her partner, Alex, and is now engaged to a woman named Mia. Before their food even arrives, Maggie requests the bill, pays, and leaves. The film focuses on the $20 bill Maggie left behind before cutting to black.

It seemed like Alma would face serious consequences for her errors, especially because she hadn’t supported Maggie when it mattered. Maggie – and the audience – are shocked to discover Alma is now the dean of Yale. This is an incredible turn of events, considering she was previously suspended and denied tenure after improperly using a therapist’s prescription pad.

Though *After the Hunt* is filled with sharp, sarcastic dialogue and trendy language, the conversation between Alma and Maggie reveals a powerful criticism of how systems maintain power. We discover Hank is thriving in a well-paid job spinning narratives for a Democrat – likely earning more than he did at Yale. Ultimately, no one truly loses; instead, people are manipulated into competing with each other while the powerful remain in control and those who were harmed find it difficult to seek justice. Hank complains about his ruined life, but he’s clearly doing well. Alma hit a low point but has since risen to a much better position. Maggie is also improved, but she’s resigned to never achieving the resolution she desires, having given up on it long ago.

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2025-10-17 21:06