6-Minute Standing Ovation for Julia Roberts at Venice 2025 — What It Means Next

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By: Jessica Morrison

Julia Roberts and Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt drew a 6‑minute ovation at its Venice world premiere (Aug 29), an emotional moment that underlines early critical momentum and festival heat. The film — starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri — was hugged by cast and crew as the Sala Grande chanted “Brava Luca!” Deadline reports the film will open the New York Film Festival (Sept 26) and reach U.S. theaters on Oct 10, positioning it for a fast awards-season conversation. Here’s what happened, why it matters for 2025, and how critics and social posts reacted in real time.

What happened at Venice Aug 29: 6‑minute ovation and who reacted

  • Julia Roberts premiered After the Hunt at Venice, Aug 29, receiving a 6‑minute ovation.
  • Director Luca Guadagnino and cast embraced as the Sala Grande chanted “Brava Luca!”
  • Film stars include Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri, with Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny.
  • Timeline: New York Film Festival opener Sept 26; US theatrical release Oct 10.

Why a 6‑minute ovation could reshape Roberts’ 2025 awards narrative

The timing is crucial: a Venice world premiere that earns a long ovation instantly places After the Hunt into festival-season conversations. Festival buzz often translates into early awards positioning — especially when a marquee star like Julia Roberts appears in a role critics are already flagging as major. Deadline cited a review saying this may be Roberts’ strongest role since 2000’s Erin Brockovich, and the film’s NYFF opener (Sept 26) plus an October U.S. release frames a condensed campaign window that can sustain momentum into late‑year critics groups and festivals.

Which critics, cast reactions and the X posts that spread fast

Deadline captured onstage emotion — Roberts and Guadagnino hugged and cried — and the outlet embedded several X posts that spread the moment. Early reviews (linked by Deadline) praised Roberts’ performance as surprising and intense, prompting swift social amplification.

The viral posts not only celebrated the ovation but seeded headlines about cultural stakes and potential controversy, ensuring the film will be discussed beyond Venice in mainstream outlets and awards chatter.

What premiere dates (Sept 26 NYFF, Oct 10 US) reveal about box‑office and season strategy

A Venice premiere followed by a NYFF opening and October theatrical run is a classic festival-to-awards pipeline: immediate buzz at Venice, high‑profile exposure at NYFF, then a fall release timed for critics and guild eligibility. That condensed route benefits films with star power that can convert early goodwill into critics’ nods and seasonal screenings. For distributors, the key is sustaining headlines and screenings between late September and early November to convert festival applause into awards ballots and box-office legs.

3 numbers that matter now for After the Hunt’s 2025 trajectory

KPI Value + Unit Scope/Date Change/Impact
Premiere ovation length 6 minutes Venice, Aug 29 2025 Strong immediate audience approval, buzz
NYFF slot Opening night New York Film Festival, Sept 26 2025 High-profile exposure before theatrical run
U.S. theatrical release date Oct 10, 2025 United States, 2025 Positions film for fall critics and awards

Summary: A 6‑minute ovation plus NYFF and Oct 10 release create a tight awards-season runway.

Sources

  • https://deadline.com/2025/08/after-the-hunt-ovation-julia-roberts-venice-1236501385/
  • https://deadline.com/2025/08/after-the-hunt-review-julia-roberts-luca-guadagnino-andrew-garfield-1236501325/
  • https://deadline.com/2025/07/luca-guadagnino-after-the-hunt-to-open-new-york-film-festival-julia-roberts-1236465863/

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