The Hunter

Mercenary Martin David is hired by Red Leaf to gather samples of the Tasmanian tiger, with explicit orders to eliminate any remaining tigers to prevent competition. The urgency of the mission is heightened as the tiger is believed to be extinct, and Red Leaf has limited time to secure the samples.

Martin flies into Hobart, Tasmania, to commence his work. Posing as a biologist, he is assigned to stay with the Armstrong family due to unsuitable local accommodations.

Martin discovers the Armstrong home is in dire condition, lacking basic amenities such as electricity and clean water. Despite his discomfort, he decides to repair the house during his stays.

Lucy, the mother of the Armstrong family, is mentally dulled from medication taken after her husband's mysterious disappearance. Martin learns that her struggling health is linked to her dependency on these drugs.

Local tensions arise from the unresolved disappearance of Lucy's husband, Jarrah, and the ongoing conflict between loggers and environmentalists. The community suspects Martin may share Jarrah's environmentalist tendencies.

Martin ventures into the bush for extended periods, meticulously setting traps and snares for the elusive Tasmanian tiger while mapping his progress. His adeptness at surviving in the wilderness is tested during these excursions.

After hearing gunshots nearby and finding his car vandalized, Martin realizes he may not be the only one pursuing the tiger. The presence of another hunter raises the stakes of his mission considerably.

Recognizing the harmful effects of Lucy's dependency, Martin confiscates her medication and manages to care for her while she's unconscious. His actions mark a pivotal step in addressing her addiction.

After Martin helps Lucy recover from her addiction, her son Jamie provides him with a drawing that hints at the tiger's habitat. This newfound information motivates Martin to adjust his search strategy.

During a routine check of his traps, Martin stumbles upon Jarrah's remains. Understanding the peril he faced, Martin gives Jarrah a proper burial while choosing to keep this discovery a secret from the family.

Martin learns from Lucy that Red Leaf had originally hired Jarrah to track the tiger. This information complicates Martin's mission as he realizes the full extent of the organization's interest in the project.

While inspecting the jungle, Martin is ambushed by a Red Leaf operative sent to replace him. This confrontation turns dangerous as the operative forces Martin to lead him to the tiger's cave.

In a clever maneuver, Martin leads the operative into one of his traps, which ensnares the man’s leg. Seizing the opportunity, Martin fights back and ultimately kills the operative, ensuring his safety.

Upon returning to the Armstrong home, Martin discovers that it has been burned down. He learns from Jack Mindy that Lucy and Katie did not survive the fire, leaving Jamie as the sole survivor.

Driven by loss and revenge, Martin finally locates the Tasmanian tiger. In a moment of despair, he makes the heart-wrenching decision to shoot it before cremating its remains, ensuring that Red Leaf can never exploit it.

After completing his mission, Martin returns to town and contacts Red Leaf to inform them that the tiger is 'gone forever.' He later finds Jamie and provides him with a moment of comforting reunion amidst the tragedy.