Hunters is an Amazon Prime Video original drama series that follows a diverse band of Nazi hunters living in 1977 New York City.
The Hunters, as they are known, discover hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in America — so it's up to them to stop the Nazis before they can succeed.
The all-star cast includes Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Jerrika Hinton, with supporting roles by Dylan Baker, Lena Olin and Carol Kane.
It’s written by David Weil (Moonfall) and executive produced by Jordan Peele (Get Out).
This gripping drama has earned praise from both fans and critics alike for its refreshing approach to the classic revenge storyline.
But what is it all about and is it worth watching?
What Is Hunters About?
It's 1977 in America, and Al Pacino is Meyer Offerman, a holocaust survivor and self-made millionaire who discovers that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials were relocated to the US after World War II.
With their new identities, a group of these Nazis is conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S. so Offerman puts together a diverse band of hunters to track them down on a quest for revenge and justice.
When Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman), a young Jewish man whose grandmother was murdered by Nazis is recruited by Offerman, his whole world is thrown into chaos as he comes to grips with the reality of being a Nazi hunter.
As the team hunts down each Nazi, it becomes more evident to FBI agent Millie Morris (Jerrika Hinton) that something much deeper is happening.
But this is the 70s and nobody wants to listen to a black female FBI agent, so with few options within the bureau, she must decide whether to pursue the Hunters or join them and stop the Nazis' genocidal plans.
Hunters Official Trailer
Is Hunters Worth Watching?
There is no disputing that Hunters bolts out of the gates. The whole story with Jonah and how he comes to join Offerman and the others moves along at a decent pace. The plotline is straightforward and believable.
In fact, watching some of the Nazis meet their demise is quite satisfying and each episode is packed with suspense, mystery, and exciting plot twists.
The show maintains a level of tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and there's a mega twist at the end of the first season, which is genuinely surprising.
And then comes season 2.
This is where we move into the ‘Alternate History' phase as the show takes a wild swing into the ‘sorry, what now??' territory.
Adolf Hitler is alive and hiding in Argentina, South America. Okay then. Sure he is.
But whatever, I'll suspend my belief and go with it. And honestly, I tried really hard, but after everything that had gone before it, Hunters just became a little bit silly.
You know when every decision made becomes so dumb that you just eye-roll a lot? Like that.
But if you can get passed that, Hunters is entertaining for the most part. It has plenty of comedy to pepper the darkness of the theme, some excellent characters, and is styled somewhere between a comic book adaptation with supervillains and a 70s action flick.
It ticks a lot of boxes but it also throws everything including the kitchen sink at it which can be a little overwhelming, if not bordering on the ridiculous.
Will There Be Season 3 Of Hunters TV Series?
Unfortunately for fans of Hunters you've had your lot.
Series creator David Weil confirmed that the second and final season would end the show.
But at least the storyline was wrapped up and didn't leave us hanging, which is a blessing these days, considering how many shows get cancelled with little or no notice!
Is Hunters Based On A True Story?
Hunters is a mixed bag that includes some factual elements combined with totally fictitious plotlines.
David Weil, who created the show, became inspired to make Hunters by his grandmother, who was also a Holocaust survivor.
Speaking at Deadline’s Contender TV event he said “She would tell us (my brothers and I) about her experiences during the war.
“They were stories of great good versus terrifying evil. But they were stories of hope and courage and survival.
“Growing up, I could see those stories through the prism of superheroes and comic books. That’s how I understood who she was, this superhero in my mind.”
In an interview with Digital Spy, Weil added “I think as a young Jewish kid growing up on Long Island in New York, there are feelings of wanting to be powerful.
“You rarely see Jews depicted as superheroes; as having might and strength. They're often nebbishes or Woody Allen or very intellectual.
“But to have the power to reclaim your place and get justice for your ancestors is definitely a wish fulfillment. And that's what Hunters became.”
Cast Of Hunters
Logan Lerman as Jonah Heidelbaum, a young mathematics genius who takes his grandmother's place among the Hunters.
Al Pacino as Meyer Offerman, a Polish-Jewish philanthropist and Holocaust survivor who recruits and leads the Hunters. It is Pacino's first-ever TV series lead role.
Lena Olin as The Colonel, leader of the Fourth Reich.
Jerrika Hinton as Millie Morris, an FBI agent who stumbles onto the Fourth Reich and the Hunters during a murder investigation.
Saul Rubinek as Murray Markowitz, Mindy's husband and the Hunters' electronics expert.
Carol Kane as Mindy Markowitz, Murray's wife and the Hunters' signals expert.
Josh Radnor as Lonny Flash, an actor and master of disguises for the Hunters.
Tiffany Boone as Roxy Jones, a member of the Hunters who specializes in counterfeiting and forgery.
Greg Austin as Travis Leich, an American Neo-Nazi acolyte drawn into the Fourth Reich.
Louis Ozawa as Joe Mizushima, a Vietnam War veteran and the Hunters' combat expert.
Kate Mulvany as Sister Harriet, a former MI6 operative who now works with the Hunters.
Dylan Baker as Biff Simpson, an Undersecretary of State in the Carter administration and secretly an undercover Nazi agent.
Jennifer Jason Leigh (second season) as Chava “Ima” Apfelbaum, a Jewish Nazi hunter, Ruth's sister and Jonah's great-aunt.
Udo Kier as Adolf Hitler, the former Führer of the Third Reich, who faked his death, and mastermind of the Fourth Reich.
