Minimalist, artful, and moody, director Jordan Downey’s The Head Hunter from 2018 maximizes its minuscule budget of $30,000, though not in an entirely satisfactory way. Being a sucker for atmospheric dread, however, I knew after I first saw the trailer that it would at least be worth watching. I will be greatly interested in seeing what Downey does next, as I was impressed by what the central Ohio native was able to get onscreen.
A man who we only know as “Father” (brooding Christopher Rygh) leads a solitary and single-minded existence. He lives only to kill the monsters that plague his land after losing his beloved daughter (Cora Kaufman in the film’s only other major role, even though it’s not much more than a cameo) to one of the creatures. Seemingly at the behest of a king, the vaguely medieval Nordic bounty hunter cares not for his treasures awarded to him, though. His true prizes are the heads of the goblins, werewolves, and trolls he collects. Utilizing some sort of sorcerous ointment, he crudely heals himself after each battle, only to prepare for the next. When finally presented with the opportunity for vengeance, chance, or fate, deal him cruel blows.
First off, it’s important to note that this is no action film. Most of the monster hunts and battles take place off-screen. I recognize this may be frustrating for some viewers. Downey (who also edited, co-wrote and co-produced) and co-producer, co-writer, and cinematographer Kevin Stewart are more interested in slow-burn tension and period immersion. Whether this is a result of the budget or a creative choice, I do not know. Either way, I still enjoyed the beautiful stark setting (Portugal and east-central California subbing for Scandinavia), Father’s really cool and detailed costuming, the ramshackle set, and the limited creature effects that we did get. Also, Nick Soole’s haunting score eerily lurks about the forbidding wilderness that encloses our warrior. With very little dialog and buried beneath a gigantic beard and hulking armor, I still was able to feel for our somber but determined lead. This is a tribute to both the filmmakers and Rygh, who must carry the entire narrative. That all being said, I really wished we could’ve gotten at least one more onscreen battle and a little more gore. While disappointing in that regard, the film makes the most of its tension and melancholy feel by checking in at a brisk and enjoyable 72 minutes.
Taking into account the tiny nature of the production, the appealing moodiness, and the admirable production values, I really liked Jordan Downey’s The Head Hunter. True, there’s room for improvement, but there’s a lot to appreciate and I think Downey deserves bigger-budgeted projects. If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path and with a can-do attitude, you could do a lot worse. Recommended, with caveats, for fans of The Blair Witch Project, Valhalla Rising, and The Witch.
Michael Cavender