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Prey (2022)

★★★★ — Prey (2022)

Dan Trachtenberg made a significant impression with his feature debut 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), a modest but tightly constructed thriller that suggested a director with genuine command of suspense. Six years later he returned with this prequel to the long-running Predator franchise, set in the early 18th century among the Comanche Nation. The production was notably committed to its setting, casting Indigenous and First Nations performers (Amber Midthunder, a member of the Fort Peck Sioux Tribes, in the lead) and later releasing a full Comanche-language dub. It bypassed a theatrical release entirely, premiering on Hulu in August 2022, which drew some debate given the film's $65 million budget and the warmth of its critical reception.

Vikings or Pirates next please. Finally a Predator film that gets it right again. Prey strips things back to the basics and reminds us what made the original so good: tension, atmosphere, and the thrill of the hunt. Set in 1700s Comanche territory, it’s a fresh take that feels totally natural for the franchise. Amber Midthunder is fantastic as Naru, the clever, resourceful, and totally believable as the underdog forced to rise. The Predator itself is terrifying again, with a more primal design that fits the time period beautifully. What’s most exciting, though, is what this could mean going forward. Spartans, Vikings, Pirates, Samurai, WW2 trenches, there are so many eras where a Predator story would thrive. Prey proves that the concept is timeless if done right. Smart, stylish, brutal, and grounded and hopefully the start of something much bigger. This franchise has blood left in it yet.

Rating: ★★★★ | Year: 2022 | Watched: 2025-04-10

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Where to watch (UK)

Stream: Disney Plus · Channel 4 Plus
Physical: Amazon UK

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