The movie Prey (2022) is a science-fiction action film and serves as a prequel to the Predator franchise. The story follows Naru, a highly skilled Comanche warrior in 1719, who must protect her tribe from a technologically advanced alien predator. The film received widespread critical acclaim and is considered by many fans to be one of the best entries in the entire series.
Here at IWatchMovies Blog, we’ve taken a deep dive into what makes Prey (2022) a compelling film. In our comprehensive prey movie review, one of many individual movie reviews we’ve published, we will dissect the thrilling action, explore the stunning cinematography, and celebrate the star-making performance at its core. We’ll also answer the burning questions: Is this Predator prequel a worthy addition to the franchise? And what’s our final prey movie rating?
What Is the Movie Prey About?
A Spoiler-Free Plot Summary
Set long before the iconic “get to the choppa!”, the movie Prey is a thrilling action-horror film that serves as a prequel to the legendary Predator franchise. Released in 2022, the film earned significant praise for its fresh take on the lore.
The story centers on Naru, a fierce young woman from the Comanche Nation. Although a skilled healer, her true passion is hunting, and she yearns to prove her worth as a warrior. However, her attempts are often met with skepticism from the rest of her tribe.
When a mysterious and technologically advanced threat begins stalking her homeland, Naru recognizes it as something unlike any known animal. She realizes she must protect her people and embarks on a dangerous mission to confront this unknown predator. Her journey becomes a brutal test of courage and survival. Can she outwit a creature far beyond her comprehension?
Setting the Scene: The Comanche Nation in 1719
The Prey movie transports viewers to the untamed Great Plains of North America in 1719. This setting is crucial to the film’s identity, grounding the sci-fi horror in a rich historical and cultural tapestry.
The film beautifully depicts the daily life of the Comanche Nation, a powerful Indigenous group that thrived on the Southern Plains. Renowned for their exceptional hunting skills and formidable horsemanship, their survival depended on a deep understanding of nature [1]. The community lived in harmony with the land while also facing its harsh realities.
Here are key aspects of the Comanche setting:
- Harsh Environment: The vast, wild plains present constant challenges. Survival requires keen observation and strength.
- Skilled Hunters: The Comanche people were master trackers and hunters. They relied on traditional weapons and strategies.
- Strong Community: The tribe’s survival depends on cooperation. Everyone has a role to play.
- Cultural Richness: The film showcases Comanche traditions, language, and respect for the natural world.
This historical backdrop intensifies the central conflict. Pitting Naru’s traditional skills against the Predator’s alien technology makes her fight for survival even more compelling. This unique and effective setting was a major reason for the film’s critical success.
Was the movie Prey any good?
What We Loved: Action, Cinematography, and A Star-Making Performance
Without a doubt, Prey is a breath of fresh air for the Predator franchise. This prequel shines in several key areas, offering a compelling and intense experience that kept us engrossed from start to finish.
Exceptional Action and Tension
The action sequences in Prey are phenomenal—brutal, well-choreographed, and packed with suspense. Director Dan Trachtenberg ensures each skirmish feels earned and impactful, blending the Predator’s familiar yet terrifying hunting style with extensive practical effects. This choice adds a visceral realism to every fight, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats for a truly thrilling ride.
- Intense Predator Hunts: The alien hunter is relentless, and its advanced weaponry creates incredibly high stakes.
- Resourceful Protagonist: Naru’s intelligence and tracking skills are central to the conflict as she cleverly uses her environment to survive.
- Visceral Combat: Thanks to a focus on practical effects, the fights are raw, unforgiving, and feel incredibly real.
Stunning Cinematography and Setting
The visual storytelling in Prey is remarkable, with cinematographer Jeff Cutter capturing the stunning Northern Great Plains landscape. The 1719 setting feels authentic and vibrant, as every shot highlights the raw beauty and harshness of the wilderness. This powerful atmosphere makes the natural environment a character in itself, greatly enhancing the film’s tension and immersion.
- Beautiful Landscapes: The film showcases breathtaking natural scenery that contrasts sharply with the brutal violence.
- Authentic Period Detail: The Comanche Nation setting is meticulously crafted, adding historical weight and cultural depth.
- Atmospheric Tension: The visuals contribute heavily to the film’s suspense, using shadows and vast, open spaces to create a constant sense of unease.
A Star-Making Performance by Amber Midthunder
Amber Midthunder delivers a commanding performance as Naru, the heart and soul of the movie. Portraying the fierce and determined warrior’s journey with incredible depth, Midthunder’s physicality and emotional range are impressive. She carries the film effortlessly, solidifying her role as a major new talent in Hollywood. Her portrayal elevates the entire sci-fi action genre and has been widely praised by critics [source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prey_2022].
What Could Be Better: Minor Criticisms
While Prey excels in many areas, no film is perfect. Our minor quibbles don’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment but are worth noting in our movie Prey review.
- Pacing in the First Act: While the initial setup is crucial, some viewers might find the buildup in the first act slightly slow.
- Occasional CGI Quibbles: Most of the special effects are fantastic, but a few moments feature less convincing CGI, particularly with some animal encounters.
- Underdeveloped Supporting Characters: While Naru’s character arc is strong, some supporting characters feel underdeveloped, with motivations that are a bit thin.
- Familiar Predator Tropes: As a prequel, the film reuses some classic Predator elements, which might make certain plot points predictable for longtime fans.
These are small issues that don’t hinder the movie’s main strengths. The Prey 2022 review consensus remains highly positive.
The Final Verdict: Our Prey Movie Rating
So, was the movie Prey any good? Absolutely. The film successfully revitalizes the Predator series by expertly blending action, suspense, and strong character development. This powerful and thrilling experience is easily one of the best entries in the franchise.
Prey is a must-watch because it offers a fresh perspective while still honoring its predecessors. We highly recommend it to fans of action, sci-fi, and survival thrillers, as well as anyone seeking a unique cinematic adventure.
Our official Prey movie rating for IWatchMovies Blog is:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5 Stars
The Prey 2022 reviews from critics and audiences alike have been overwhelmingly positive [source: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/prey-2022/], and for good reason. Don’t miss out on this fantastic Predator prequel.
Is Prey a prequel to Predator?
Prey is a direct prequel to the Predator franchise, taking viewers back in time to explore the early origins of the alien hunter’s visits to Earth. By redefining the series’ timeline, the film offers a deep dive into the lore that existing fans will appreciate.
The story of Prey unfolds in the year 1719, placing it centuries before any other Predator film. For instance, the original movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was released in 1987, meaning Prey showcases a much earlier and more primitive encounter. This unique historical setting is frequently praised in many a prey movie review.
The film depicts one of the first Yautja (Predator) hunting expeditions on Earth. The clash between the alien’s advanced technology and the tribe’s primitive survival skills creates a thrilling, visceral tension, showcasing a raw and relentless hunt. This innovative premise significantly boosted the film’s positive prey rating among critics and audiences alike and sets the stage for future events in the franchise.
The Flintlock Pistol: A Direct Connection
The most definitive evidence of its prequel status is a direct link to Predator 2. In that film, Detective Mike Harrigan is given an antique flintlock pistol. That same weapon makes a significant appearance in Prey, where it is given to the protagonist, Naru. The pistol’s inscription, “Raphael Adolini 1715,” firmly connects the two stories across centuries and confirms a shared timeline [2].
Therefore, Prey is more than just a standalone action flick; it significantly enriches the entire Predator universe. By offering fresh insights into the Yautja’s ancient hunting traditions and their long history with humanity, the film adds a new layer of depth to the lore. This expansion is frequently cited as a major strength in prey 2022 reviews and is reflected in the film’s strong prey movie rating.
In summary, Prey serves as an essential origin story that lays the groundwork for hunts seen in later films. It provides a satisfying and acclaimed cinematic experience, as noted in many a prey review 2022, making it a brilliant and worthwhile prequel to the franchise.
Where Can I Watch the Movie Prey?
If you’re looking for where to watch the critically acclaimed movie Prey (2022), you should know it had a unique release. This Predator prequel bypassed traditional cinemas and launched directly on a major streaming platform. Here’s a breakdown of where you can find it.
Is Prey on Netflix?
No, Prey (2022) is not available on Netflix. The film premiered as a Hulu Original in the United States, making the platform its exclusive home in the U.S. [3].
Internationally, the movie is available on a different service. Viewers in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia can watch Prey on Disney+ under the Star banner. This means Netflix subscribers will need access to one of these other platforms to watch the film.
Is Prey on Amazon Prime or Hulu?
Yes, Prey (2022) is on Hulu. In the United States, Hulu is the exclusive platform to stream the film with a subscription. Because of this exclusivity, it is not available to stream as part of an Amazon Prime Video subscription.
However, you may be able to rent or buy the movie on-demand. Digital rental and purchase options for Prey are often available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. For streaming as part of a subscription, your primary options are Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
Why is the movie Prey rated R?
The movie Prey holds an R rating, a detail that comes as no surprise to fans of the long-standing Predator franchise. Like most entries in this beloved series, this classification is a direct result of the film’s intense and gruesome violence, a core element of its survival story.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) officially gave Prey its R rating for “strong bloody violence” (source). The film fully embraces this description, never shying away from the harsh realities of the hunt. Its encounters are brutal and visceral, showing the Feral Predator’s hunting methods—including graphic injuries and dismemberment—unflinchingly. The rating ultimately reflects the raw struggle for survival against a superior extraterrestrial foe.
This level of intensity is essential to the film’s impact, as it significantly heightens the survival-horror aspect. In fact, many a Prey 2022 review praises the movie’s commitment to realism within its sci-fi premise. The R-rating allowed director Dan Trachtenberg to fully explore this brutal cat-and-mouse game, making the stakes feel incredibly high for Naru and her Comanche tribe. The result is an authentic, thrilling, and gritty experience that fans of the Predator universe have come to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Movie Prey
Was Prey a Hit or a Flop?
In the competitive world of film, Prey was a definitive hit, captivating both critics and audiences. The movie premiered directly on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ internationally.
Upon its release, Prey broke records as the most-watched premiere in Hulu’s history for any film or TV series, a clear indicator of its massive success [source: https://press.hulu.com/news/2022/08/09/prey-becomes-hulus-most-watched-film-premiere-ever/].
Critical reception was also overwhelmingly positive. The film holds an impressive 94% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising its intense action, stunning visuals, and Amber Midthunder’s powerful lead performance [source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prey_2022]. This combination of viewership and acclaim solidified Prey as a major success for the Predator franchise.
Will There Be a Prey 2?
While there has been no official announcement for Prey 2, several factors suggest a sequel is likely. The original film’s acclaim and the director’s interest point toward a bright future for the Predator prequel.
Director Dan Trachtenberg has expressed strong interest in continuing Naru’s story, even teasing potential ideas for future installments in interviews [source: https://collider.com/prey-2-dan-trachtenberg-interview/]. Considering the widespread critical and commercial success of Prey, a sequel seems highly plausible. Fans are eager to see the return of the young Comanche warrior, but an official confirmation for Prey 2 is still pending.
Is Prey Historically Accurate?
The filmmakers behind Prey made a significant effort to ensure historical and cultural accuracy regarding the Comanche Nation. Although the movie is a science-fiction story about an alien hunter, its human elements are deeply rooted in thorough historical research.
Key areas of focus for historical accuracy include:
- Language: The film offers a full Comanche dub, a groundbreaking decision that honors the culture and represents a significant step for Indigenous representation in mainstream cinema [source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/movies/prey-review-comanche.html].
- Costumes and Props: The production team worked closely with Comanche consultants to create authentic 18th-century clothing, weapons, and tools.
- Comanche Culture: The film portrays aspects of daily life, hunting practices, and the social structure of the Comanche people, with a specific focus on the roles of women and warriors within their society.
While the science-fiction premise means Prey is not a historical documentary, the production made a genuine and admirable effort to represent the Comanche Nation respectfully. This dedication to detail greatly enhanced the film’s authenticity and immersive quality.
Who is in the cast of Prey (2022)?
The cast of Prey (2022) features a talented ensemble composed largely of Native and First Nations actors. This commitment to authentic casting was a crucial element of the film’s success. The main stars include:
- Amber Midthunder as Naru: The fierce and intelligent young Comanche warrior whose performance anchors the film.
- Dakota Beavers as Taabe: Naru’s respected and protective older brother.
- Dane DiLiegro as The Predator: The terrifying extraterrestrial hunter.
- Michelle Thrush as Aruka: Naru and Taabe’s mother.
- Julian Black Antelope as Chief Kehetu: The wise leader of the Comanche tribe.
- Stormee Kipp as Wasape: A fellow Comanche warrior.
- Bennett Taylor as Raphael Adolini: A French fur trapper.
This talented and dedicated cast was essential in bringing the world of Prey to life [source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11866324/fullcredits].
