“Prey” is rightfully being labeled as the best “Predator” film since the 1987 original. If it also gets good ratings for Hulu, it might pave the way for a new type of franchise filmmaking. Set in the 1700s and pitting Comanche warriors against a Predator, this is bare-bones storytelling in the best sense of the phrase.
It goes against the theory that each subsequent installment in a saga has to be bigger and more expensive. This is the fifth proper “Predator” film, and seventh if you count the “Aliens vs. Predator” films. It’s an about-face after 2018’s “The Predator,” which featured Pred-dogs and promised a high-tech sequel.
Hunter vs. hunters
Written by Patrick Aison – who developed the story with director Dan Trachtenberg (“10 Cloverfield Lane”) — “Prey” strikes me as one of those cool comic-book miniseries where you think “Now this would make a cool movie! And it wouldn’t cost too much.”
“Prey” (2022)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Writers: Patrick Aison (story, screenplay), Dan Trachtenberg (story)
Stars: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro
This time, they actually made the movie. “Prey” has no big-name stars and it’s filmed in Alberta, which gorgeously stands in for “the northern Great Plains” (I’m thinking Montana, though, judging by the mountains and trees) in 1719.
I feel like the year should end in “7.” Don’t Predators hunt on Earth once every 10 years? Isn’t that why 1990’s “Predator 2” was weirdly set in 1997? Admittedly, I may have made that up in my head.
At any rate, “Prey” doesn’t require a viewer to hold a Weyland-Yutani corporate prospectus or a history pamphlet about the Predators’ seeding Antarctica with xenomorphs. We get a couple Easter eggs, but not too many. Trachtenberg and Aison know to stop short of a pair of Comanche warriors greeting each other with “You son of a bitch!”
Evocative battlefields
“Prey” is a plain ole case of Native American warriors versus a great alien warrior. Amber Midthunder (“Roswell, New Mexico”) ably nails down the lead role as Naru, who faces that age-old, cross-cultural issue: Since she’s a woman, she is subtly and not-so-subtly steered away from traditionally men’s roles.
Naru tells mother Aruka (Michelle Thrush) that she wants to be a warrior because everyone tells her she can’t be. Note to parents who aim to steer their children: Use reverse psychology. Tell Naru she can’t be a gatherer, cook and healer and she’d want to do those things.
Well, maybe not. Naru also stands out by being clever, in contrast to brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers) and other males who are certainly brave, but not innovative. Naru’s smarts will be important for the final showdown with the Predator (6-foot-9 Dane DiLiegro), which is unfortunately a little confusing. It required me to watch a “ ‘Prey’ Explained” video on YouTube.
Before that, it’s fun to see Naru put a string on her ax that allows her to retrieve it after each throw. This comes in handy in quicksand (quickmud?). The staging of the fight scenes isn’t always elite, but cinematographer Jeff Cutter makes up for this with a variety of visual backdrops (woods, mist, mountains) and iconic images.
It’s pretty badass when Taabe returns to camp covered in the blood of the lion he has slain, but glowing green Predator blood is even cooler.
Elegant simplicity
“Prey” comes with two language options: English, or dubbed Comanche. I chose the former. It’s a shame the actors themselves couldn’t speak Comanche; that would’ve upped the period flavor. But still, the narrative is so familiar that this is could be a silent film.
Indeed, when French trappers join the scene, they speak French, without translated subtitles. It causes no confusion about what’s going on, and it brings us closer to Naru, because she likewise doesn’t understand French.
“Prey” is daring for a “Predator” prequel in that it’s so darn simple. The positive buzz suggests people forgive a basic premise if it’s well executed. If “Prey’s” success means we get safer (but good) spinoffs in other traditionally expensive franchises (say, “Jurassic Park,” which is currently at a creative crossroads), that’ll be a positive industry trend.