"Prey" - Film Review
It’s 1719 on the Northern Great Plains and Naru (Amber Midthunder) dreams of becoming a hunter for her tribe, the Comanche. Her brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers), is a great hunter and often takes Naru along with him on hunting trips. While out searching for a mountain lion, Naru becomes convinced that a greater predator (Dane DiLiegro) is lurking deep within the forest. Desperate to prove her skills, Naru decides to go after the Predator herself.
Prey is a good example of how important it is for some films to be seen in a theatre. Yes, streaming services increase access and this is by no means a plea for theatrical-only releases. However, there is something so grand about the film that it would have been lovely to see it in a huge, loud room with a big, appreciative audience. So much of film is the communal experience, and Prey is one of those movies begging to be seen and shared with others.
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Prey is much more than a continuation of a decades-long franchise. It signals the arrival of a new talent, and Midthunder is the star of this movie. She is a quiet, unyielding force with so much determination in her eyes (sometimes the only part of her face the audience can see) that the development of her skills leading up to the final showdown feels genuinely earned.
It’s under director Dan Trachtenberg’s watchful eye that Prey truly thrives. Much like his entry to the Cloverfield franchise, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Trachtenberg focuses less on the otherworldly creature and more on the horrors of humanity. The creature is not the greatest threat to Naru and her tribe, it’s the incoming white people who believe themselves to be better than the Comanche. Trachtenberg understands that the heart of the Predator franchise is about survival against a highly skilled creature. The way characters adapt and learn from their interactions with the Predator says more about them than it does the creature.
What makes Prey so compulsively watchable is that it does exactly what it promises to do. It’s a frantic fight for survival led by a compelling cast of characters. When the audience finally gets a good look at the Predator, it’s a glorious reveal. The Predator is designed as a blend of ultra-modern technology and ancient armor to create a truly intimidating force. Prey very well be the rejuvenation the Predator franchise needs to continue on, but the audience doesn’t even need the Predator to want to see where Naru’s story goes next.
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