The Hunter is the story of Martin (Willem Dafoe), a skilled and ruthless mercenary sent into the Tasmanian wilderness on a hunt for a tiger believed to be extinct. Hired by an anonymouse company that wants the tiger's genetic material, Martin arrives in Tasmania posing as a scientist. He proceeds to set up base camp at a broken-down farmhouse, where he stays with a family whose father has gone missing. Usually a loner, Martin becomes increasingly close to the family: however, as his attachment to the family grows, Martin is led further down a path of unforseen dangers, complicating his effort to complete his deadly mission.