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Back in 1987, an elite military team stumbled upon something mysterious in the middle of a South American jungle, and unleashed all of their weapons on it... unsuccessfully. As the team is systematically eliminated, the leader of the team, Dutch, realizes that this is not a matter of defeating this enemy, but rather of outsmarting him and surviving, which is what he does.
Set in 1719, Prey follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young woman from a Comanche tribe that aspires to be a hunter like her brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers). This causes some tension within the family and the tribe since she's supposed to be a healer, according to the tribe customs. When a Predator starts stalking the tribe, Naru has to resort to her cunning and skills to survive.
This fifth film within the Predator franchise has been in development since 2018. According to director Dan Trachtenberg, it was initially filmed with the intention of being "a big theatrical experience", until Disney decided to release it exclusively on Hulu, which has disappointed some. Apparently it has to do with Disney's goal of drawing people to Hulu, while some people speculate the studio had doubts on the project.
The initial premise seems like a refreshing approach to the franchise. Midthunder brings such a fierce energy to the lead role that's just infectious, while, Trachtenberg's direction succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere; something that he had previously succeeded at during 10 Cloverfield Lane. I thought it was interesting to see the Predator's methodical approach to his surroundings, as he continuously seizes everyone as he moves up the "food chain", so to speak, going against those that it deems "worthy" of the challenge.
So it seems like the film and its main character have that in common; that of being underestimated by their own peers. Which perhaps makes it all the more satisfying that the film has ended up being as good as it is. It has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), while audiences seem to agree. Again, much like its main character, it seems that the studio didn't think much of this film, but it knows how to survive.
Grade:
PREY
(2022, Trachtenberg)
A film that starts with the letters O or P
(2022, Trachtenberg)
A film that starts with the letters O or P
"It knows how to hunt. But I know how to survive."
Back in 1987, an elite military team stumbled upon something mysterious in the middle of a South American jungle, and unleashed all of their weapons on it... unsuccessfully. As the team is systematically eliminated, the leader of the team, Dutch, realizes that this is not a matter of defeating this enemy, but rather of outsmarting him and surviving, which is what he does.
Set in 1719, Prey follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young woman from a Comanche tribe that aspires to be a hunter like her brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers). This causes some tension within the family and the tribe since she's supposed to be a healer, according to the tribe customs. When a Predator starts stalking the tribe, Naru has to resort to her cunning and skills to survive.
This fifth film within the Predator franchise has been in development since 2018. According to director Dan Trachtenberg, it was initially filmed with the intention of being "a big theatrical experience", until Disney decided to release it exclusively on Hulu, which has disappointed some. Apparently it has to do with Disney's goal of drawing people to Hulu, while some people speculate the studio had doubts on the project.
The initial premise seems like a refreshing approach to the franchise. Midthunder brings such a fierce energy to the lead role that's just infectious, while, Trachtenberg's direction succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere; something that he had previously succeeded at during 10 Cloverfield Lane. I thought it was interesting to see the Predator's methodical approach to his surroundings, as he continuously seizes everyone as he moves up the "food chain", so to speak, going against those that it deems "worthy" of the challenge.
So it seems like the film and its main character have that in common; that of being underestimated by their own peers. Which perhaps makes it all the more satisfying that the film has ended up being as good as it is. It has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), while audiences seem to agree. Again, much like its main character, it seems that the studio didn't think much of this film, but it knows how to survive.
Grade: