Prey (2022) - SPOILER-FREE Review
/
© 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Written by: Patrick Aison
Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope
Runtime: 99 min
Synopsis: Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, a young woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), is a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
© 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Some filmmakers' careers are a mystery to me. Dan Trachtenberg has made only one feature film, the highly popular 10 Cloverfield Lane. After such a success, one would expect an exponential rise in opportunities, but in the last six years, the director has ventured into just three television episodes in different series. He now returns with his sophomore project, Prey, a prequel to the famous Predator franchise, apparently revealing a particular taste in revitalizing long-lost sagas, either in time or due to the lack of quality that marked a generation. Against all expectations, here's another movie released for streaming that surprises everyone, becoming one of my personal favorites from 2022.
Nostalgia is indeed a fascinating sensation. The vast majority of film buffs and even typical moviegoers recognize the Predator "brand" easily. However, it's rare to find anyone who dares to put any sequel above the 1987's original flick, and it's even rarer to hear anyone connect the saga to an actor other than Arnold Schwarzenegger, despite the latter only appearing in that first installment. Despite being a franchise that has continued to release content for the last 35 years, the truth is that only the original work has deeply impacted viewers. Thus, the space for a film or series to revitalize the saga was open, waiting for someone competent to bring something acclaimed by all types of audiences.
© 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Not only does Prey resurrect the Predator universe, but it may also have surpassed the original. Out of the many positive aspects that Trachtenberg managed to insert in this piece, one of the most important is the return of the essence of the creature itself. The alien's moral component is emphasized again, focusing on its will to hunt and face the most fearsome "opponents" of the territory in which it lands. Inoffensive, harmless prey don't matter, creating an atmosphere of high tension and suspense throughout the entire runtime, whether due to terrifying chases or build-ups for the numerous action set pieces that will leave many jaws on the floor.
Another exceptionally successful narrative element is the construction of the protagonist and the Comanche community. Naru simply wants to be recognized for her hunting skills, and the search for this validation takes her through adventures rich in action and horror but also along paths of self-growth and personal sacrifice. Here, Amber Midthunder stands out impressively. For Legion fans, the emotional range of the actress isn't a surprise, but the intensity with which she embodies her character deserves much praise. She carries Prey on her shoulders - also literally - delivering, finally, a performance that - I hope - will sound the sirens of Hollywood with massive opportunities.
Midthunder also demonstrates an aptitude for action sequences, a section where Trachtenberg elevates the saga entirely. From long, uninterrupted takes to extraordinary choreography, the bloody violence and macabre deaths - a warning for the more sensitive viewers, there's no holding back, not even with animals - offer entertainment levels that not even the 1987 movie could reach. Obviously, the evolution of technology allows greater control of the camera, and the sharp visual effects make room for more daytime scenes, all clearly visible. Regardless, Prey possesses an audiovisual technical quality that makes many big-screen blockbusters cry with envy.
© 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Prey is one of the most stunning films of the year. In addition to barely having any CGI, Jeff Cutter's cinematography makes the most of the breathtaking landscapes of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Accompanied by a nearly epic score by Sarah Schachner, never has a movie in the franchise looked so gorgeous or sounded so atmospheric. Trachtenberg manages to bring all the technical elements together in an incredibly captivating manner, whether in a tense, frenetic action scene or with a look at the ravishing nature surrounding the entire work. I don't know the future of the saga, but I hope the next Predator installment learns from this last one.
I only have two minor issues, one concerning the protagonist's brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers), and the other related to a group of French hunters who show up in the second act. Taabe is introduced as someone who respects his sister and who, deep down, recognizes her value. However, some character decisions, later on, are somewhat disappointing and even prove to be partially contradictory to what Prey shows the viewers. It ends up damaging the emotional connection between the audience and the siblings, removing some impact from the events of the third act. On the other hand, the French don't add anything relevant to the story or the protagonist, being nothing more than "cannon fodder."
© 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Final Thoughts
Prey lives up to high expectations, being the first movie in the Predator saga to come close to or even surpass the original. Dan Trachtenberg is able to restore the franchise by focusing on a compelling protagonist and the motivational essence of the primary creature, as well as creating one of the most dazzling films of 2022. Both the cinematography and the score take advantage of the on-location filmmaking to create an almost epic atmosphere, whether through gorgeous wide shots that will leave every viewer amazed or through violent, macabre, exceptionally choreographed action sequences in conjunction with long takes. Amber Midthunder delivers one of the best performances of her career. For fans of the saga, horror, and/or action, it's not easy to find something better this year.
