Airing on Hulu, Prey is without a doubt the most impressive Predator spin-off we’ve seen to date. The first film in the Predator franchise, released more than three decades ago, spawned a total of six sequels, each of which got progressively worse as the one before it followed. The seventh part, which plays the role of a prequel and tells a kind of origin story for the Predator, makes fans optimistic.
In the entertainment world where sequels and spin-offs have become mundane and haphazard, and where every film that does at least reasonably well becomes a franchise, a prequel like Prey is hard to find.
What is the connection between prey and the predator movies?
The film’s protagonist is Naru, a young woman from the Comanche tribe who strives to show herself as a capable warrior to her male colleagues who despise her skills. But little did she know that on her quest she would face a dangerous creature unlike anything she had ever seen or experienced.
Naru is a seasoned warrior who is twice as alert as her fellow hunters and even more resilient than she appears. As a result, Naru quickly realizes there is a problem when one day an unknown person descends from the sky and begins to follow them and roam the forest where they live.
Naru is confused and frightened when the previously unseen predator finally reveals itself by tearing apart a grizzly bear while killing it. She is unfamiliar with this monstrosity, armed with advanced technology and possessing talents beyond those of humans. On the other hand, this is not the case for those who have previously seen the legendary Predator and its sequels.
The Predator’s backstory is revealed in the film Prey. In this spin-off, set in the 17th century, the aliens we’ve seen so many times in the original and its sequel appear on Earth for the first time.
The film pays homage to the series and the first part by including a variety of minor and major references throughout its run. There are many things in this image that connect to the original film that came out in 1987. One of those things is the theme of predator becoming prey. Another is the idea of making yourself imperceptible to the monster.
One of the most prominent references is the pistol that Naru receives as a gift from a French dealer. During the climax scene, when Naru hands the gun to the tribe’s leader, the name Raphael Adolini is engraved on the gun.
The reference to the pistol will be readily apparent to anyone who is a dedicated follower of the Predator franchise. The weapon is the exact same one given to Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, played by Danny Glover, by City Hunter in Predator 2; Viewers unfamiliar with the franchise should know this. This serves as a bridge between the two films that Prey gives us for our viewing pleasure.
Does the film deliver a worthy sequel to the original?
Prey’s portrayal of Native Americans is one of the most interesting and thought-provoking parts of the film. With the proliferation of shows like Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls on television today, sensitive portrayal of a marginalized character has become an absolute requirement of any feature film. The Predator spin-off that Hulu produces is definitely commendable for being almost entirely cast by locals, with Amber Midthunder playing the lead role of Naru.
There’s also great chemistry between Amber Midthunder and Dakota Beavers, who play siblings Taabe and Naru and have a fleeting bond with one another. Screenwriter Patrick Aison’s ability to get all the characters to complement each other and fit in so naturally is something that deserves praise.
Even though Hulu and Fox have worked together to bring us the film on a streaming platform that we can access from the comfort of our homes, it seems like a waste to see the film on such a much smaller screen . Prey is a must-see movie for its stunning visuals and well-choreographed action sequences. Also, the film’s antagonist is a terrifying creature that would look even scarier on a bigger screen.
Despite the fact that it’s being promoted as a prequel, the film doesn’t give us any information about the predator’s background or how it first appeared. We are only shown an alien species that settles into Comanche territory and then hunts down its target while searching for the ideal moment to carry out its death. As the film draws to a close, audiences will wonder where exactly the dangerous creature came from and whether or not more of its kind will be revealed if Hulu decides to continue producing episodes of the series.
In general, Prey is acclaimed for being considered one of the best Predator spin-offs made to date. The Hulu movie features plenty of exciting action scenes, making it an absolute must-watch for all fans of the Predator franchise.