Prey (2022) is a gripping, atmospheric reinvention of the Predator franchise, set far before the age of modern warfare, technology, and firepower. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the film takes the deadly alien hunt back to its primal roots, delivering a stripped-down, tense, and exhilarating survival story that stands proudly on its own—and even above many of its predecessors.
Set in 1719 in the Northern Great Plains, Prey follows Naru (played with fierce intensity by Amber Midthunder), a young Comanche woman and skilled tracker who dreams of proving herself as a hunter to her tribe. Dismissed and underestimated by those around her, Naru sets out to hunt something that has begun to disturb the natural balance of her land.
But what she finds isn’t a mountain lion or a bear—it’s something not of this world.
The alien Predator, more primitive in design yet no less lethal than in other entries, has come to Earth seeking worthy prey. It moves through the wilderness, killing apex predators and warriors alike, following the brutal rules of its own code. As the creature wreaks havoc on both nature and humans, Naru realizes that only she may have the instincts and intelligence to defeat it.
Prey thrives on tension, silence, and survival, using the wide open landscapes of the American frontier to create both beauty and dread. The cinematography is breathtaking, contrasting the serenity of nature with the violence that unfolds within it. The film also honors Comanche culture with authenticity and care, even offering a full Comanche language version for streaming—something never before done in a major Hollywood release.
Amber Midthunder’s performance is the soul of the film. Naru is determined, vulnerable, and cunning—a true underdog whose growth is thrilling to watch. Her final confrontation with the Predator is not only physically intense but a powerful moment of earned triumph, as wit and heart overcome brute strength and tradition.
Prey isn’t just a prequel—it’s a reclamation of the franchise's original tension and storytelling. It succeeds by doing less—and doing it better: no over-the-top explosions, no excessive mythology. Just a smart, brutal, intimate fight for survival between two predators.
Because the strongest hunter isn’t always the biggest.
Sometimes, it’s the one no one saw coming.
