- Plot Summary (brief, without major spoilers)
Set roughly 300 years ago in the Great Plains of North America, within the Comanche territory, Prey follows Naru, a young Comanche woman who has long been underestimated by those around her—especially in a culture that expects her to take on a more traditionally “female” role rather than a warrior’s path.
Poorly Written Musin
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Movie Metropolis
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When a mysterious extraterrestrial hunter (the Predator) arrives on Earth, Naru’s village becomes the target of a primal, lethal hunt. As members of her tribe begin disappearing or being attacked, Naru seizes the chance to prove her mettle: she must use her wits, her survival skills, and her deep knowledge of the land to protect her people.
Poorly Written Musin
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Along the way, she confronts not only the alien threat but also internal doubts and traditions that try to hold her back. She forges unlikely alliances (including with a French trapper / translator) and uses ingenuity and resourcefulness to level the playing field against a technologically superior foe.
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The climax pits Naru directly against the Predator in a tense, high-stakes showdown that tests both her physical and mental limits. (Beyond that would be spoilers.)
- Notable Elements
Strong Lead Performance
Amber Midthunder’s portrayal of Naru is the heart of the film. Her presence, subtle strength, and the transformation she undergoes—from being doubted to asserting herself—anchor the narrative. Many critics have compared her to iconic female leads in science-fiction / horror (e.g. Ellen Ripley) for how grounded yet bold she feels.
Roger Ebert
+4
Wikipedia
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The Guardian
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Visuals & Cinematography
The natural landscapes, forested plains, the interplay of light and shadow—all of it is beautifully shot. There’s a primal majesty to the setting that echoes classical Westerns, but with an alien threat creeping into the frame.
JoBlo
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In particular, scenes in the forest at dusk, or where the Predator’s cloaking interacts with natural textures (trees, undergrowth) are visually striking. The final battle’s use of environment (terrain, traps, swampy ground) is well conceived.
Tone, Pacing & Suspense
One of the film’s strengths is how patient it feels. It doesn’t rush from action to action but allows tension to build. Roger Ebert’s review calls it “a scary and fun amusement-park ride” that also elicits emotional payoff.
Roger Ebert
Its lean structure—a “cat-and-mouse” feel—lets every hunt, every near-miss, count.
JoBlo
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Creative Use of Indigenous Culture & Survival Skills
Rather than side-lining culture as mere window dressing, Prey integrates elements of Comanche tradition, language, and worldview. Naru’s familiarity with plants, tracking, nature, and survival is foregrounded—these aren’t just “set dressing” but tools she uses against the Predator.
Poorly Written Musin
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Weaknesses / Rough Spots
CGI / effects inconsistencies: Some CGI elements—especially animals or background effects—look a bit less polished, occasionally pulling one out of immersion.
JoBlo
+2
Poorly Written Musin
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Supporting characters less memorable: While Naru is deeply drawn, many of the side characters (tribal members, French trappers) lack development or depth.
Reddit
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Over-the-top antagonists: The French trappers, in particular, at times feel exaggerated and occasionally cartoonish in their villainy—this can undercut tension.
JoBlo
Predictability in structure: Because it follows a known “hunter vs hunted” formula, a few beats are expected. But the film often compensates by executing them well.
Poorly Written Musin
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Movie Metropolis
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- Themes & Messages
Empowerment, Identity & Breaking Stereotypes
One of Prey’s clearest threads is Naru’s personal journey: confronting expectations, overcoming dismissiveness, and claiming her dignity as a hunter/warrior. The film positions her not as a token strong woman, but as someone with genuine skills and resourcefulness.
Respect for Nature & Survival Wisdom
The film elevates the idea that deep knowledge of land, nature, and its rhythms can be more powerful than brute force or advanced tech. Naru’s survival strategies largely hinge on reading the land, using camouflage, setting traps, and applying indigenous knowledge.
Confronting Colonial Violence / Outsider Invasions
Beyond the Predator, the film also features French trappers encroaching on territory, violence inflicted on animals, and a clash of cultures. The Predator, in many ways, becomes a metaphor (or extreme version) of an outsider invading and disrupting balance.
Legacy, Honor & Rite of Passage
Naru’s arc is also about proving her worth—not only to herself but to her family and community. Her transformation from a “healer / non-hunter” role into the tribe’s protector mirrors rite-of-passage motifs.
Because the film is set in a pre-colonial era, it also invites reflection on tradition, heritage, and resilience of indigenous peoples under threat—not just from alien predators but from human forces.
While Prey is not a holiday film, themes of family, community, defending home, proving oneself, and sacrifice resonate with many emotionally universal stories.
- Personal Impressions
I found Prey to be a refreshing revival of a franchise that had been growing stale. Its lean focus on a single protagonist, the smart use of the environment, and the emotional core built around Naru’s struggle make it compelling. The film excels when it slows down and lets tension breathe; those stalking scenes where one hears animal sounds, shifting footsteps, rustling branches—they’re haunting.
Amber Midthunder’s performance is often quietly powerful: she doesn’t need big speeches; her resolve, fear, frustration, and finally strength come through in her eyes, body language, and carefully chosen actions.
I did notice moments where the film leans too much into genre tropes, and some of the CGI distractions pulled me out of the moment. The French villains occasionally felt cartoonish. But overall, those flaws are relatively minor compared to the strengths.
If I had one quibble, it would be that in a few scenes I wished for more depth in the supporting cast; a little more backstory or nuance for tribal members or the translators might have made their fates more emotionally weighty.
- Audience Recommendations
You might particularly enjoy Prey if you like:
Films with strong female leads in action / sci-fi / horror settings
Creature / alien hunt thrillers (Predator / Alien franchise fans)
Stories grounded in nature, survival, and strategic intelligence rather than sheer firepower
Period pieces or films with indigenous representation done respectfully
Tense, suspense-driven narratives more than overblown spectacle
On the flip side, if you strongly prefer sleek, ultra-high budget CGI effects or ensemble character dramas, Prey’s modest scale and occasional rough edges might feel limiting.
- Conclusion & Rating
Prey (2022) manages to do something rare: it reinvigorates an established franchise by returning to fundamentals (hunt, survival, tension) while injecting fresh perspective, cultural texture, and emotional weight. Its central performance, visual ambition, and careful pacing outweigh its occasional technical missteps.
If you’re in the mood for a lean, fierce, and thoughtful thriller with stakes both physical and emotional, Prey is a strong pick.
Rating: ★★★★½ out of
