Hunter Killer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Gerard Butler yells at the ocean while Gary Oldman yells at a screen, and somehow WWIII is averted because everyone just really needed a hug.

🍿 Hunter Killer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Crisis and Investigation

The movie opens with the disappearance of the USS Tampa Bay, a U.S. submarine, while tracking a Russian Akula-class sub in the Arctic. The U.S. Navy tasks the USS Arkansas, led by the newly promoted Commander Joe Glass, to investigate the incident. Simultaneously, a Navy SEAL team, headed by Lieutenant Bill Beaman, is dispatched to observe a Russian naval base, unaware of the brewing storm.

Uncovering the Coup

As the Arkansas investigates, the SEAL team witnesses a coup led by Russian Defense Minister Dmitri Durov, who takes President Zakarin hostage. It becomes clear that Durov intends to instigate a war between the U.S. and Russia. The Arkansas discovers that both the USS Tampa Bay and the Russian sub were victims of sabotage, deepening the conspiracy.

Rescue Mission and Tensions

Commander Glass must navigate the Arkansas through treacherous waters to rescue President Zakarin and prevent a global conflict. He forms an uneasy alliance with Captain Andropov, a Russian submarine commander rescued from the sunken Konek. Meanwhile, Beaman’s SEAL team infiltrates the base to extract Zakarin, facing heavy opposition and risking their lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Captain Joe Glass (Gerard Butler): The newly-promoted and unorthodox commander of the USS Arkansas, tasked with investigating the disappearance of a US submarine and preventing a war.
• CJCS Charles Donnegan (Gary Oldman): A high-ranking military official who initially advocates for a more aggressive response to the unfolding crisis.
• RA John Fisk (Common): The Rear Admiral who sends the USS Arkansas to investigate and seeks a diplomatic solution to the brewing conflict.
• Jayne Norquist (Linda Cardellini): A National Security Agency analyst who identifies the coup and advises a measured response to avoid escalating the situation.
• Lieutenant Bill Beaman (Toby Stephens): The leader of the Navy SEAL team sent to observe the Russian naval base and tasked with rescuing the Russian president.
• Dmitri Durov (Mikhail Gorevoy): The rogue Russian defense minister who orchestrates a coup to overthrow the Russian president and incite a war with the United States.
• Sergei Andropov (Michael Nyqvist): The captured Russian submarine captain who aids Captain Glass in navigating the waters and averting war.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Captain Joe Glass: “I know you speak English.” – Captain Glass says this to the captured Russian Captain Andropov during their initial tense encounter.
• Captain Andropov: “Fuck You” – The first words spoken by the captured Russian Captain Andropov to Captain Glass, before revealing he speaks English.
• Captain Andropov: “[dryly] Well… that’s a start” – Russian captain says that to show he understands English.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,767,460
• Worldwide Gross: $31,676,147

💥 Hunter Killer Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Hunter Killer’ expecting a dumb action movie, and honestly, that’s pretty much what I got, but it was still a fun ride. The submarine scenes were intense, and even though the plot was totally over-the-top, I found myself rooting for Gerard Butler’s captain. There were a few moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The whole sequence navigating the minefield had my heart pounding. It’s not high art, but it’s definitely entertaining if you can turn your brain off for a couple of hours.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of submarine warfare movies like The Hunt for Red October and Crimson Tide”
  • “Those interested in military thrillers with geopolitical themes”
  • “Gerard Butler fans”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-packed films with suspenseful sequences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense action violence”
  • “War themes”
  • “Some language”
  • “Brief scenes of injury and peril”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Hunter Killer delivers a suspenseful, if predictable, underwater thriller. While it doesn’t break new ground, the solid performances and well-executed action sequences keep you engaged. It’s a decent popcorn flick if you’re a fan of the genre.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a strong cast, Hunter Killer sinks under the weight of its cliched plot and improbable scenarios. The film offers fleeting moments of excitement, but fails to deliver a truly compelling and original narrative, ultimately leaving you with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
• Metacritic: “Hunter Killer is an average submarine action film with some thrills but hampered by a predictable plot. The underwater scenes are well-done, but the overall execution lacks originality and emotional depth, making it a forgettable entry in the genre.

Audience Reactions

The submarine action sequences were intense and kept me on the edge of my seat!: Many viewers enjoyed the thrilling underwater scenes and the suspenseful plot.

Gerard Butler was great as the unconventional submarine captain.: The cast’s performances, especially Butler’s, were praised for adding depth to the characters.

Overall Consensus: Hunter Killer is a decent, if predictable, action thriller that delivers entertaining moments but lacks originality and depth.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The production team partnered with the US Navy to ensure authenticity in the design and operation of the submarines.”
• “Filming took place in Bulgaria for the land-based scenes, while the submarine interiors were constructed on sound stages.”
• “Hunter Killer was one of the last films to feature Michael Nyqvist, who passed away before its release.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hunter Killer?

Hunter Killer is currently available to rent or buy on various platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. For streaming, keep an eye on platforms that frequently acquire action-thrillers. Some options may include subscription services or ad-supported free streaming.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hunter Killer, you might like these similar films:

• The Hunt for Red October (1990): Classic submarine thriller with Cold War tension and a rogue Soviet captain.
• Crimson Tide (1995): Tense submarine drama focusing on a conflict of command during a potential nuclear crisis.
• K-19: The Widowmaker (2002): Based on a true story, portraying the harrowing experiences aboard a troubled Soviet submarine.
• Olympus Has Fallen (2013): Similar high-stakes action with Gerard Butler in a heroic role, facing a global threat.

🛒 Hunter Killer Related Products

• Hunter Killer (Blu-ray): Own the high-definition version of Hunter Killer and experience the action and suspense in stunning clarity.
• World of Warships: USS Arkansas Premium Battleship: Dominate the seas with the USS Arkansas, a powerful premium battleship available in World of Warships. Inspired by the submarine featured in Hunter Killer.
• Hunter Killer Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster. A must-have for fans of the film.
• Hunter Killer: The Board Game: A strategic tabletop game where players engage in submarine warfare, inspired by the film’s thrilling scenarios.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hunter Killer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hunter Killer Theme” – performed by Trevor Morris
• “Sub Rescue” – performed by Trevor Morris
• “Minefield” – performed by Trevor Morris

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

US Submarine Commander Rates 14 Submarine Scenes In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how accurate submarine movies really are? This former US Submarine Commander breaks down submarine scenes from movies and rates them, including Hunter Killer. You might be surprised at what’s Hollywood magic and what’s actually plausible!

✨ Rate