Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) Review

Ricky has been passed around many different foster families and always manages to do something to get away from them. He eventually finds a place he likes with Bella and Hec even though it doesn’t appear to be a place he would be happy in. When Hec and Ricky go missing in the New Zealand bush a national manhunt is ordered to find them.

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I had seen only good praise and buzz surrounding this film, especially when I was reading top 10 film lists of 2016 and this film featured in a lot of people’s lists. Luckily it has come to Netflix UK rather quickly and therefore I have managed to catch up with it. Which I am certainly pleased that I have, I would class this film as a hidden gem as it really is very good. It is a lot better than the plot may first sound and the performances are heartwarming and funny.

Just when Ricky feels that he is settling in a place to live for the first time in his life his new step “Auntie” Bella suddenly dies and that means he must then get taken back into care and cannot stay with Hec is step “uncle” this is when he decides to run away so they cannot take him back into care. It doesn’t exactly go to plan when he struggles in the bush, but this creates a huge adventure with Hec.

The only problem is when the authorities realise they have gone missing they actually blame Hec and start to speculate horrible things that he has done to Ricky. Obviously none of them are actually true, but just to try and capture them both. It really does have so many moments that make you smile and realise that people can save one another when they really need it. Hec trying to grieve for his wife and feeling lost and alone. Ricky who has never had anyone care about him, losing the one person that had shown him love.

It has so much more to it than meets the eye to begin with and I really did find myself enjoying the journey and adventure side to it. Especially the small moments, like someone wanting to take a selfie with Ricky. I will admit that I feared the ending was going to go a very different way to how it looked at times.

Helping to show that when you are truly sad that anything can then happen to change that and give you something to live for, sometimes that might be just cheering someone else up. Giving them the hope that you no longer have, the bond between the pair is quickly formed even if they don’t want to actually admit that to themselves or each other. I guess it gives you hope that when you really need someone that they will be their, even when you least expect it and who it could be.

I really do recommend that you catch up with this film, I am sure you will not be disappointed. It really does have something special about it and it should have a bigger viewing platform now that it is on Netflix! So add it to your queue right now!