Prey

Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

Comanche warrior Naru (Midthunder) is still looking for her place in her tribe, as her skills as a hunter and tracker are overlooked in favor of her brother Taabe (Beavers). After she discovers a new threat, a predatory alien life form with advanced technology, her fight for survival begins as she will stop at nothing to prove to her nation and to herself that she has what it takes to defeat this new Predator.

I'm actually surprised this franchise is still around. After the success of the first Predator in 1987, the franchise has been struggling to find a worthwhile sequel. Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to return and this has left Fox scrambling to find a successful way to continue, with varying results. There was a lot of hope when Shane Black, who starred in the original, returned in 2018 to direct The Predator. To call that film a disappointment is a massive understatement and they once again had to return to the drawing board and have decided to move the story back to its roots and set the film as a prequel set in the 1700s around the Comanche nation. The results work better than you might think.

The film cast only indigenous actors for the leads and I was hopeful when the film started when the characters spoke Comanche. This was short-lived and the characters began speaking in English and I felt my hopes sink. I am aware that there is a Comanche dubbed version of the film available and by the time I realized, it was too late to switch it over. I would highly recommend this as I feel it would give the film the authenticity it so desperately craves.

The first half of the film also does everything it can to undercut its suspense. Director Dan Trachtenberg, who helmed the very effective 10 Cloverfield Lane, understands what it takes to draw the viewer in, but doesn't quite understand his subject this time. The terror of the original Predator worked so well because he was used sparingly and the viewer and characters never actually knew where it was. Instead of following that formula, we are instead treated to several scenes of the Predator getting in fights with some very unconvincing CGI animals to establish who is at the top of the food chain. I wish the movie had kept the focus on Naru and her tribe.

The third act more than makes up for these issues though, as we get to see the full range of Naru's skills and the film hits you with several well-made action set pieces. Not only do we get the brutal one-on-one battle we are all there to see, but it also brings Naru's coming-of-age story to a full and believable arc. Before this final battle, we also get a dynamite sequence where the Predator takes out a group of French fur trappers that have captured Naru (a parallel that makes sense contextually but doesn't work as well as the film thinks). This culminates in a one-shot of Naru taking out the remaining trappers with her tomahawk. Trachtenberg's skills in directing action and spectacle are on full display and the fights and outdoor cinematography are beautifully shot by cinematographer Jeff Cutter.

Amber Midthunder is fantastic in what becomes a very physically demanding role. Her Naru is smart, tough, and not afraid of the danger that lays ahead for her. Her relationship with her brother is key as well, as he is the only one who really sees her potential and champions her. I wish a little more time had been given to their relationship but it's still pretty solidly built.

It sounds like I disliked the film more than I actually did. It does have its issues but once that third act kicks in you won't mind the missteps.

Grade: B-

Prey is available on Hulu