Apple TV's French thriller 'The Hunt' premieres after plagiarism controversy

Apple TV+ has finally premiered its French thriller series The Hunt, starring Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds) and Benoît Magimel (The Piano Teacher), after a three-month delay caused by plagiarism allegations.

Delayed Premiere and Controversy

The series was originally scheduled to debut on December 3, 2025, but was abruptly pulled from Apple's release schedule approximately two weeks before its premiere date. The sudden removal sparked speculation until French media outlets reported that the series had been pulled due to allegations of plagiarism from Bernard Petit's 1973 novel La Traque.

While Apple never publicly addressed the specific allegations, the company confirmed earlier this week that The Hunt would premiere on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The first two episodes are now available on Apple TV+, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly through April 1.

The Plot

According to Apple's official description, The Hunt follows Franck (Benoît Magimel) and his longtime friends who enjoy weekend hunting trips together. Their routine outing takes a deadly turn when they encounter another group of hunters who begin targeting them without explanation.

After one of their party is shot, Franck's friends strike back, sending an attacker to the ground. The four friends barely escape and decide to keep the incident a secret. However, Franck soon feels like he and his friends are being watched or tracked by hunters hell-bent on revenge.

Cast and Production

Beyond the lead performances by Laurent and Magimel, the series features a supporting cast that brings depth to this tense thriller. The show represents Apple's continued investment in international content, particularly French-language productions that appeal to both local and global audiences.

Apple TV+ Subscription

Apple TV+ is available for $12.99 per month and features a growing library of original content including F1 The Movie, Pluribus, Severance, The Studio, The Morning Show, Shrinking, and Silo.

What This Means for Apple TV+

The delay and subsequent release of The Hunt highlights the challenges streaming platforms face when producing international content. While plagiarism allegations can be damaging, Apple's decision to eventually release the series suggests the company either resolved the concerns or determined the allegations were insufficient to prevent distribution.

This premiere also demonstrates Apple TV+'s commitment to diverse, international storytelling, particularly in the thriller genre where French cinema has a strong reputation for psychological tension and moral complexity.

For viewers interested in international thrillers with strong performances and Hitchcockian suspense, The Hunt offers a compelling addition to Apple TV+'s catalog, though the controversy surrounding its production may influence how audiences engage with the material.