Heart of the Hunter, despite having a convoluted plot, at least has a pretty straightforward and satisfying ending. The South African Netflix film which was filmed on location in the Western Cape follows a former assassin forced to jump into a dangerous mission when an old friend knocks on his door. Zuko needs to retrieve files with the necessary evidence to stop the evil Mtina from winning the presidential election. While on this journey, Zuko allies himself with a washed-out reporter and a former colleague. Before the credits roll, the hero faces many challenges and losses, but in the end, realizes how important it is to put family first.
After Malime dies during their escape from the PIA building, Iman seeks out Mike and Allison and tells them everything she knows. She explains that she was an agent working for a counter-intelligence unit operated by Johnny Klein and Thandi Makeba working on bringing down Mtima’s government.
Thandi Explains Why Zuko Should Be Feared
At Thandi’s home, she explains why Mo and Mtima should be afraid of Zuko. He’s a highly trained rogue agent, comparable to King Mzilikazi. According to Thandi, Johnny believed Zuko and the historical figure share the same spirit, the heart of the hunter (hence, the film’s title). Mo isn’t too impressed and remains convinced she can stop Zuko before he brings her down. She then proceeds to bludgeon poor Thandi to death.
Mo was planning to keep Malime hostage and use her as a bargaining chip. With Malime’s tragic death, the cruel PIA leader orders her team to take little Pakamile instead. The poor boy is now an orphan and trapped in a dirty prison.
Pakamile Is Held to Ransom
Heart of the Hunter (Netflix)
Meanwhile, Zuko just about survives a fight with Mo’s henchman, Tiger, before taking his chopper for a spin. The helicopter drops Zuko on the outskirts of Maseru. He’s severely injured following his one-on-one with Tiger but is still determined to complete the mission. Thankfully, the residents of a nearby village find and nurse him back to health. In the village, Johnny hid the documents he wanted Zuko to retrieve, along with a touching fatherly letter.
While going through border checks to enter South Africa, Zuko tries calling Iman but instead gets Mo. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t take the news of his beloved’s death too well, nor is he very responsive when Mo tells him she’s holding Pakamile for ransom.
Zuko Hatches A Plan
Zuko arranges to meet with Mike and hands him over the files. In return, Mike takes him home, where he’s harboring Iman. While Zuko is angry about what happened to Malime, he absolves Iman of any blame (even if it was, technically, her fault as she pressured poor Malime to make the jump that killed her).
The files contain every ounce of proof Mike needs to publish his expose and ruin any chance Mtima has at winning the election. But Zuko doesn’t want the details to go public until he rescues Pakamile. So the unlikely team comes up with a plan to draw out Mo and find out where she’s keeping Pakamile by attacking Mtima at his secret yet luxurious cabin.
At the cabin, Zuko kills Mtima’s guards and interrupts what looks like a very fun party to capture the evil politician. After exchanging pleasantries, Zuko uses Mtima’s phone to call Mo demanding she bring him Pakamile.
Mo Money Mo Problems
While they wait, Mtima tries bribing Zuko, but our hero has nothing but disdain for his evil, corrupt ways and tells him as much.
When Tiger finally arrives with some of his people, Zuko easily kills the minions. We’re then treated to a rematch between Zuko and Tiger. As our hero is about to finish off the villain, Mo appears, and she’s holding Pakamile at gunpoint.
Mo has a change of heart after learning that the files are going to be published the following day, and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. She loses her grip on the boy and eventually shoots and kills Mtima. However, she doesn’t want to let Zuko and Pakamille go because they apparently “know too much.” Thankfully, Iman appears at the exact right time to shoot Mo in the head before she can harm Zuko or his son.
A still alive Tiger tries attacking our heroes, but Iman shoots him in the stomach. However, she can’t bring herself to kill him.
Heart of the Hunter ends with Zuko and Pakamile driving toward their new home. They’re going to live on a farm just like they always dreamed. And Maline is still with them in spirit.
Our Heart of the Hunter Review details our in-depth thoughts on the movie overall.
