NEW YORK (AP) — Universal Pictures has canceled the planned September release of its controversial social satire "The Hunt," in the wake of recent mass shootings and amid criticism from President Donald Trump.

The move came several days after the studio suspended the ad campaign for the film, a gory, R-rated thriller that tells a tale of liberal "elites" hunting people in red states for sport.

In a statement Saturday, Universal said it had decided to take the further step of canceling the film's Sept. 27 release, saying "We understand that now is not the right time to release this film."

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