Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey (2022) is the fifth film in the Predator franchise, and seventh in the complete franchise. It serves as a prequel to the first four films, and takes place in the Cherokee country of the Great Plains way back in 1719. The script, by Patrick Aison, places strong characters into horrible situations to great effect.
Buy Prey Blu-rayNaru (Amber Midthunder), is a member of a Cherokee tribe, a gatherer, and the tribe’s healer with grand dreams of dropping her gathering basket and picking up a weapon so she can join her brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers) as a member of the hunters. She is followed everywhere by her extremely well-trained dog, Sarii. Together, they keep track of the hunters in the hopes of joining their leagues.
While pursuing deer through the woods, Naru sees a massive spaceship cross the sky, partially hidden by the clouds. She believes she has seen the great Thunderbird of Cherokee legend, and, of course, believes this to be a sign she is meant to be a hunter. There are also French trappers in the woods, and various Comanches of whom we never learn their names. All of them are fodder for the Predator landing in the scary ship.
The Predator (Dane DiLiegro) is an absolutely terrifying opponent. It has an armored mask that is technologically advanced and controls the direction of his razor-sharp spears. His armor makes him invisible. He can see the heat signatures of any living creature. He has just one goal: add new skulls to his skull collection.
Imagine a Predator movie that is character driven instead of a thinly-veiled slasher flick. Several Predator movies are about who is biggest, who is toughest, who has the most interesting weapons. Here, the main characters of Naru and Taabe are basically weak. They have no weapons of any threat to the Predator except their cunning hunting skills. It is an exciting hunt to behold, and it is exceedingly fun to watch the Predator slowly become the prey.
