After making big waves with his Dogme classic The Celebration in 1998, Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg has made a handful of flawed and underseen films, whether the genre be post-apocalyptic sci-fi (It’s All About Love) or a pseudo-Western about a group of gun-wielding pacifists (Dear Wendy), that have rendered him largely unnoticed as of late.

Let it be said that his newest work, The Hunt, will stand to change the tide. Starring Mads Mikkelsen in a decidedly, and impressively, domesticated role. Vinterberg takes his time with his narrative, looking into a very 21st century kind of witch hunt. Lucas (Mikkelsen) is a new teacher at a local kindergarten, recently divorced and at odds with his ex-wife over custody of their teenage son. He’s an engaged educator, interacting with the young children and developing close relationships with all of them.

Perhaps his closest relationship is with Klara (Annika Wedderkopp), daughter...