We know the Predator is bleeding and we can kill it. We’ve known this since Arnold Schwarzenegger confronted one of the alien hunters in 1987. Yet instead of going more for the brutal action, every film since has opted for it unsatisfactory science fiction.
Backstory of the movie “Prey” that it came to Hulu on Friday (i Disney Plus Star outside the US), deviates from much of this by turning the clock back to 1719 and pitting Native American warrior Naru (Amber Midthunder) against one of these alien creatures. It’s the kind of stripped-down approach these films were crying out for, with director Dan Trachtenberg (who previously helmed 10 Cloverfield Lane) creating an excellent modern take on the original.
We spend the early part of the film in the harsh, untamed wasteland of the Great Northern Plains with the quietly intense Naru. The beautiful cinematography and mesmerizing score make it easy to lose yourself in her world as she hones her skills as a hunter, gets out of some tough trouble and explores with her adorable canine sidekick Sari – their bond is absolutely wonderful.
The Lone Predator is used sparingly as it runs parallel, establishing itself as the ultimate hunter. The retro versions of his other tech are fun to watch, even if his iconic cloaking device still looks like a hoax.
Their narratives come together in an intuitive sequence that will be etched in every fan’s memory forever, and the film grabs you by the throat from that moment on as Trachtenberg goes all out on the action and gore.
However, the final battle is shrouded in the shadow of night, making it difficult to discern what’s going on as both predator and prey unleash an arsenal of gadgets. This makes sense as a contrast to the brightness and clarity of other action scenes, but may require multiple viewings to parse all the details.
Prey works because its protagonist isn’t the brawny, all-guns-toting action hero these movies are known for, or part of a forgettable ensemble on some obscure sci-fi mission. Instead, Naru is a smart, observant human being, and her sometimes strained relationships with her brother and other fellow tribesmen of the Comanche Nation give the film emotional resonance. (No tension with her dog, though. He’s perfect.)
However, they’re still a bunch of badasses who wield their bows and spears with tactical precision and move through the forest like a special forces unit. This kind of imagery can be clichéd in modern settings, but here it’s incredibly visually engaging.
We also get a satisfying escalation of the dangers they face, as their beautiful environment is filled with deadly natural threats and foreign poachers (whose French dialogue is not subtitled, cleverly giving us the sense that they too are alien invaders). It grounds the film well and builds towards Predator instead of throwing us straight into the sci-fi deep end.
It’s also extremely cool that the film is produced by Janne Myers, a member of the Comanche Nation, and most of the cast is Native American or Canadian, suggesting an admirable commitment to authenticity. You can also watch with Comanche dubbing and subtitles for full cultural immersion, but these weren’t available in the preview version.
This is arguably the best Predator movie we’ve had since the original, with a well-developed protagonist (and her excellent dog), a rich cultural base, and clever use of an iconic movie monster. More sci-fi movies need to take this kind of grounded approach, and this franchise just needs to pit its alien hunters against humans in gorgeously realized historical settings from now on.
For now, though, stick around and give Prey a watch.
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