“The Hunt” – TV miniseries review

The Dutch miniseries “The Hunt” (originally “Een van ons”) is supposedly based on a sordid real-life murder than garnered national attention in 1999, and for years afterward. In a small northern village, Anneke (Richelle Plantinga), a popular teen girl, was raped and murdered while cycling home from a local night club. No one knew who did it but there was enough anti-immigrant sentiment to make newly-arrived Afghanis, living in a Community Center for integration into their community, the prime suspects. That possible scapegoating was motivating emotionally, even if not logistically, for the many of the residents.

The story is largely presented by classmate Fenna (Eefje Paddenburg), whose main connection to Anneke was having the hots for the lass’s boyfriend, Jeroen (Gijs Blom), with whom Anneke quarreled just before she pedaled off to her fate. The scripts bounce among several time periods – 1999, 2001, 2009 and 2012 – from crime to solution in six hour-long episodes. We also meet a whole bunch of the family and neighbors, dwelling on the perspectives and consequences for each at some point, and giving airtime to a wide range of conflicts within and among them. The tone is that of a suspense drama, with little levity or overt action. The plot moves slowly, requiring patience as much as empathy or curiosity from viewers.

The triggering incident itself was quite disturbing. But the worst part about watching this course of events is its relevance to our present. The xenophobia and fascistic fervor of some split the town down the middle on mob rule versus due process. It’s as much a cautionary tale as a crime drama. Anneke’s family and friends were naturally angered by the loss, and frustrated by years of failure to nail the perpetrator, who most likely was living among them for the whole time, either in the village or at the Center. Some feared the Afghanis; others relied on them as a vital part of the area’s economy.

A deep cast contributes well to establishing an array of sympathetic and/or despicable players – many with elements of both. Attitudes and changes over time for many of them seem realistic, and not simplified for the medium. As has often been the case while reviewing imported TV series, the package felt longer than needed. Trimming the content to four episodes would have made a more compelling experience. The first three are particularly long on exposition and short on plot advancement. Fortunately, the latter half provides more excitement along the path to resolution, including an uptick in physical actions, and a few dollops of sexual activity. Enough to make it a series worth considering for a binge.

“The Hunt,” mostly in Dutch with English subtitles, streams on ViaPlay starting Mar. 27, 2025.

RATING: 2.4 out of 4 stars