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| The Hunt Finale Recap: A Twisted Ending That Still Hurts to Watch (Photo: iQIYI) |
Quick Recap of The Hunt Final Episode
The final episode of The Hunt throws us straight into chaos. The police uncover a buried skeleton in Guo A Di’s backyard — yes, Wu Ximei’s ex-husband.
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At the same time, detective Tong Hao tracks down Xu Qingli’s ex-girlfriend, Tian Baozhen.
One look at an old photo and she recognises a watch she once gifted him, confirming that Xu Qingli faked his death years ago.
While everyone’s scrambling for answers, the emotional toll breaks Xu Qingli.
His father’s faith in him and the whispers of guilt become too much.
He confesses everything — from the panic that drove him to kill Ni Xiangdong to the elaborate ruse that let him vanish.
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The truth hits like a punch: Ni Xiangdong wasn’t dead when they buried him.
Xu Qingli returned, terrified and desperate, and finished what shouldn’t have started.
In the aftermath, Xu Qingli is sentenced to death.
Tian Baozhen quietly watches from afar, mourning what could’ve been.
Tong Hao, now promoted to captain, steps into his new role, while Meng Chao finds a bittersweet peace with Xiao Xia. Closure, yes — but not without scars.
Characters Wrapped Up
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Xu Qingli (Huang Xuan) – His final confession seals his fate. Once a man on the run, now a symbol of guilt and remorse. His story ends tragically but inevitably.
The Hunt Ending Explained
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The ending of The Hunt ties everything back to its central question: how far will guilt push a person to destroy themselves?
Xu Qingli’s “hunt” was never about escaping the police — it was about escaping the weight of his own conscience.
By staging his death, he thought he could wipe away his sins, but the truth clawed back through memories, family ties, and love that refused to die quietly.
His confession isn’t just an act of guilt — it’s redemption, finally giving peace to those he left behind.
The death sentence, while harsh, serves as poetic justice. His story ends in darkness, but it allows everyone else to step into the light.
The final scenes — Tian Baozhen’s silent farewell and Tong Hao’s new beginning — highlight that some hunts don’t end when the suspect is caught; they end when forgiveness begins.
TL;DR & The Hunt Short Review
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The Hunt (2025) wraps up as a heavy but satisfying thriller about secrets, guilt, and redemption.
The pacing in the final few episodes tightens beautifully, and the performances (especially from Huang Xuan and Teresa Li) hit the emotional notes just right.
While the story leans into melodrama at times, the raw emotional payoff of Xu Qingli’s confession makes it worth it.
The direction, tone, and cinematography all maintain that cold, investigative grit that iQIYI thrillers are known for.
⭐ Verdict: 4/5 — A gripping, emotionally charged finale that ends not with a bang, but with a haunting echo.
FAQs
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Q: Is there a Season 2 of The Hunt?
Not yet, but it’s not off the table. The production team hinted that a second season could happen if fan response stays strong. It might not follow the same cast, but the same dark investigative tone could return — think anthology vibes.
Q: Was the ending happy or sad?
Bittersweet leaning towards sad. Justice is served, but the emotional wreckage leaves a heavy aftertaste. There’s closure, yes, but it’s not the kind you celebrate.
Q: What does Xu Qingli’s death sentence symbolise?
It’s less about punishment and more about peace. After years of guilt and denial, his confession and sentence feel like the only way his story could end — cleanly, finally.
Q: Who was the real victim in the story?
In many ways, everyone. Ni Xiangdong lost his life, Xu Qingli lost his soul, and the people around them lost their trust. The Hunt isn’t about heroes or villains — it’s about choices and the damage they leave behind.
Final Thoughts
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The Hunt ends not with redemption but reflection. It’s the kind of finale that lingers, with quiet moments that say more than any chase scene could.
Whether or not Season 2 happens, The Hunt cements itself as one of iQIYI’s most emotionally intelligent crime dramas of the year — one that dares to say guilt hunts harder than the law ever could.
Would you want to see The Hunt return for another run, maybe with a new case and fresh faces? Let us know what you think — the hunt might not be over yet.