Netflix’s new South African political action thriller, “Heart of the Hunter,” revels when it is a mindless action caper but struggles when it is not. Based on Deon Meyer’s novel of the same name, the film, directed by Mandla Dube, is an inconsistent affair, which might just be enough for a film of this nature. The film has a story that involves shady governments, rebel fighters, and a conspiracy theory exposé. There is a lot to unpack and a lot to discuss. Let us delve, then.
Heart of the Hunter (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Presidential Intelligence Agency’s head, Mo Kwena (Connie Ferguson), is leading a task team to hunt down a supposed terrorist, Johnny Klein (Peter Butler). The team, a private security detail full of assassins, is led by the charismatic fighter Tiger (Tim Theron). But the eventful raid on the house where Klein is supposed to be does not yield the expected results. Klein gets away. Soon, we realize that Klein is not the story’s villain. It is Mtima (Sisanda Henna), the corrupt and ruthless presidential candidate who seems immune to all his charges.
Kwena, letting go of the protocols of her institution, has become a glorified henchman for Mtima. Mtima believes that Klein has important documents and evidence that could finally topple his chances of becoming the next president. Klein previously led a rebel group in this fight against people like Mtima—people who still carry the flags for Apartheid-era white folks and people who are a blight on South African society. One of the prominent warrior figures of that group was Zuko (Bonko Khoza).
However, Zuko is no longer a killer. After one incident, where he was observed by his victim’s child, Zuko retired from that life. He now lives with his girlfriend, Malime (Masasa Mbangeni). He has also developed a strong bond with Malime’s son, Paka. This happy family’s fate changes when Klein, chased by Kwena’s goons, pays a visit to his old disciple. Zuko, initially gruff towards Klein, relents when he learns that Klein is dying of cancer. Klein passes a message to Zuko, asking him to complete the mission.
Kwena, who has the entire surveillance system at her disposal, quickly picks up on Klein’s visit to Zuko. Klein lures Tiger’s crew away and then kills himself. This gives Zuko enough time to call Malime and have the final words before he leaves for the mission. Kwena’s team, however, makes the connection between Zuko and Malime. She sends her henchmen to pick up Malime, hoping to torture her into giving the whereabouts of Zuko. Malime’s hope hinges on one rebel insider within Kwena’s team, Naledi Gumede (Nicole Fortuin).
Heart of the Hunter (2024) Netflix Movie Review:
“Heart of the Hunter,” directed by Mandla Dube, with a screenplay from Deon Meyer and Willem Grobler, is an action-packed thriller that blows hot and cold. The film excels when it plays to its strengths, which is dabbling with some well-crafted action pieces. But it falters when it comes to executing the human elements in a cliche-riddled attempt to infuse additional socio-political layers.
“Heart of the Hunter” is full of retired-assassin-coming-back-to-save-family tropes. In addition, it puts a layer of exposé journalism that tries to save democracy. The additional frills often take center stage under Dube’s stewardship. The problem with that is that “Heart of the Hunter” doesn’t have the finesse, nor the strength in its cast, to pull that off.
Bonko Khoza is deft and natural when it comes to portraying Zuko’s fighting skills. Whether it is hand-to-hand combat or a smooth bike chase, Khoza is convincing as the invincible fighter. However, the same cannot be said about his non-action scenes. At the risk of being repetitive, I must say that the film blows hot and cold in that regard. Some scenes feature top-notching acting, whereas some reeks of B-movie inadequacy.
Heart of the Hunter (2024) Netflix Movie Ending Explained:
How Did Zuko Manage to Rescue Paka?
While Naledi tries to rescue Malime, Zuko circumvents various obstacles. The primary one among those hurdles is Tiger. Zuko manages to evade Tiger using his stolen motorbike and then a stolen helicopter. He reaches the place where Klein instructed him to be. However, unbeknownst to him, Malime dies when Kwena’s team chases her and Naledi.
Unabating, Kwena has Malime’s son kidnapped next so that she would have some bargaining chip because Zuko seems to evade them perpetually. Zuko, on the other hand, finds what Klein wanted him to find. All the bank account details prove all the corruption charges that are against Mtima. Klein had also involved investigative journalist Mike Bressler (Deon Coetzee) before he died. Zuko decides to give the proofs to him, but before that, he tries to reach Naledi. As Naledi’s phone is now with Kwena, he talks to her and learns that Malime is dead.
What Happens to Mtima?
A distraught Zuko shatters upon hearing the news of Malime’s death. But he also learns that Kwena has Paka. So, he holds off from having Bressler publish all the details of Mtima’s crime. Instead, he pays a visit to Mtima’s lair. Naledi’s detective work helps him. Zuko makes quick work of Mtima’s henchmen. He quickly overpowers Mtima, but Tiger interrupts him. A climactic fight between them sees Zuko defeat Tiger, but Kwena interferes while threatening to shoot Paka.
Mtima, now free from Zuko’s clutch, urges Kwena to kill Zuko and Paka. At this point, without any explanation, Kwena switches allegiance and kills Mtima instead. We know Kwena has been blackmailed by Mtima to commit all his dirty work. The reason behind that is Kwena’s father’s questionable role in the Apartheid era. Kwena went along with Mtima’s crime just so her father’s secret did not come out. It can be presumed that at the point where she needed to choose between killing Zuko and killing Mtima, she chose to kill Mtima first so as not to repeat the mistakes of her father.
What Happens to Mo Kwena?
Although Kwena kills Mtima, she still tries to kill Zuko and Paka. She will be disgraced for her deeds if she allows them to live. But her attempt is thwarted by Naledi, who makes the timely intervention and kills her instead. Naledi also tries to kill Tiger, but Zuko stops her from doing so, thus allowing Tiger to live.
What Happens to Zuko and Paka?
It is revealed that Bressler’s report exposes the true nature of Mtima and Kwena. Everyone who supported Mtima’s act, under the guidance of Kwena, is prosecuted. Zuko and Paka learn this from the radio news as they travel to Zuko’s old village, hoping to build the life that Zuko had dreamt of for him—a life of a farmer, growing tomatoes, mangoes, and bananas—all the while missing Malime.
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