Set in a Medieval world, one man’s calling is to rid the land of monsters, all the while seeking vengeance on the creature that killed his daughter. Returning to his isolated cabin after completing each of his tasks, our warrior mounts the beast’s head on his trophy wall and tends his wounds with a regenerative potion. Until one day, a chance at revenge comes his way.
Jordan Downey’s minimalist The Head Hunter is, given a budget of less than £30,000, an accomplished work. Filming as practically as possible, Downey, along with co-writer Kevin Stewart and cinematographer Ricky Fosheim, stretch their limited funds to create a living, fully textured world where danger and intrigue lurk in the shadows. And in removing all the fight scenes – much of the actual headhunting takes place offscreen – bar the climactic one, and with only a few lines of dialogue, mystery is layered upon mystery.
And perhaps therein lies the only real flaw to Downey’s film. By the time you reach the low-key finale – unsurprising given the tone of what’s gone before – many viewers will have more questions than answers. Indeed, in the case of this Blu-ray release, the two commentaries prove essential in unpicking some of the vaguer elements.
But this is a film in which the strengths should be applauded. Filmed in Portugal and California, with footage from actor Christopher Rygh’s Norwegian homeland, the cinematography blends effortlessly with composer Nick Sole’s score to deepen the sense of scale and emotion. There were clearly budgetary battles, but Downey and his team have brought this world to life, however unpleasant and unforgiving that world may be.
