Author Judith Sanders has long captivated readers with stories that probe the darker corners of human psychology, and her novel The Huntsman is no exception. A gripping psychological thriller steeped in ambiguity, jealousy, and moral tension, the book has now made the leap from page to screen in a new film adaptation of the same name with Epic Pictures distributing. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s Othello and exploring the devastating consequences of envy and suspicion, The Huntsman resonates powerfully with contemporary audiences. In this interview, Sanders discusses everything from the origins of the story to the journey of seeing her vision reimagined for film.
The Huntsman was directed by Kyle Kauwika Harris and stars Shawn Ashmore (X-Men), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Jessy Schram (Mad Men) and Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead). You can watch the film here.
The Huntsman has resonated strongly with readers as a psychological thriller. What was the original spark that inspired you to write this story?
I was inspired by revisiting Shakespeare’s OTHELLO and considering the role and impact of jealousy on the characters and the plot. The darkness of this tragedy and the line “I kiss’d thee ere I kill’d thee” as he remembers the price of jealousy struck me.
The novel unfolds with ambiguity and tension tightly woven into the characters’ psychology. How did you balance plot momentum with internal character experience while writing?
My writing is methodical in that I first decide on my theme, in this case exposing the tragic consequences of Othello’s jealousy. Then I chose and detailed each character’s characteristics, including birthdates, medical history, family, etc. As I consider how each character interacts with one another under various circumstances and the consequences of those interactions, the plot evolves. Of course, at times while writing, a character might offer to go astray, in a different direction, and I would have to take that character aside for a stern chat or rarely give in to the diversion.
What themes in The Huntsman do you think most connected with readers, and why do those themes feel urgent or relevant now?
There are many dark themes hidden in our daily lives, with envy, suspicion, and distrust (professional, romantic, social) being most tragic among them.
When you first learned The Huntsman was being adapted for film, what was your reaction — excitement, apprehension, curiosity?
For my novels I draw from many places including my own dreams which, after all, are movies, and in writing I always see the story in my mind and will pull images of actors I envision playing various roles to help me see that story. So, when the opportunity to work with Steven Whriter for a screenplay I was excited to see what others would do with my visions. I admit I was a bit overwhelmed with the complexity of the process but it was exhilarating to witness the birth of THE HUNTSMAN film.
How involved were you in the adaptation process, and in what ways did that collaboration influence how you view the story now?
This was truly a collaborative process with not only Stephen but then our director, Kyle, with his own unique experiences and the input of the main cast members in molding the final product. Shooting the film in Oklahoma and other setting considerations there are clear differences between the novel and the film. I actually am thrilled with both representations of the story and would hope folks would enjoy both experiences equally well.
Film and novels are very different storytelling mechanisms — what was one element of the book you were thrilled to see translated to the screen, and one that you knew would necessarily have to change?
Clearly, with the setting in Oklahoma, while rural, the film could not truly convey a small New England town and much of the back story was compressed, exquisitely I might add, in the beginning of the film. I was thrilled with how each cast member took on their parts and I especially fond of Elizabeth Mitchell’s portrayal of Jolene Raider, the wife of the prime suspect Lincoln Raider.
Were there scenes or themes in the film that surprised you or deepened your own understanding of your characters?
The roles of several characters in the novel were expanded in the film to enhance the pool of suspects as to maintain the mystery (all characters were suspects until they weren’t). Overall, I was impressed by how our cast pulled deep from their experiences to powerfully deliver some of the most tense moments I created in the book.
What do you hope fans of the book will notice or appreciate most about the film adaptation?
I hope that my readers will appreciate how each actor developed and portrayed their character in true alignment with my objectives in the novel.
For audience members who haven’t read the novel yet, what is one thing you hope they take away from the story on screen?
I expect audience members who haven’t read the novel to be thrilled with the experience overall and the darker elements that each character exposed. I do hope they are eager to discuss their impressions with others and, as an author, I hope they are keen to now read the novel to compare and contrast the two media.
Has this experience — writing the novel and seeing it adapted — shifted what kinds of stories you’re drawn to tell next?
This experience has only enhanced my desire to look at my existing works, “In His Stead—A Father’s War”, “Star Finder” and “Crescent Veil” as well as my notebook of other novels, for their potential to be developed for the screen. Either way, my story telling will continue as I see them in my mind
