Luca Guadagnino's #MeToo Thriller Captivates Venice Audience

Last month, acclaimed Italian director Luca Guadagnino cemented his status as a Venice Film Festival favorite with the world premiere of his latest film, "After the Hunt." The psychological thriller, starring Julia Roberts as a college professor, drew a rapturous response from the audience, with a 5.5-minute standing ovation.

The film, which explores themes of power dynamics and dark secrets, had earlier divided critics at its first press screenings. However, the audience's embrace of Guadagnino's work inside the Sala Grande cinema was unmistakable. The cast, including Roberts and co-stars Andrew Garfield and Chloë Sevigny, were greeted with cheers and applause as they took the stage.

"After the Hunt" follows Roberts' character, a professor who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when her star student (Ayo Edebiri) accuses a colleague (Garfield) of assault. As the story unfolds, a dark secret from the professor's past threatens to be revealed, adding to the film's complex and thought-provoking narrative.

Guadagnino, who has a long history with the Venice Film Festival, has directed a number of acclaimed films that have debuted at the prestigious event, including "I Am Love," "A Bigger Splash," and "Bones and All." His latest work is set to be released in U.S. theaters on October 17th, giving audiences a chance to experience the director's latest cinematic offering.