1. Plot Summary
Tom Newman, a hydro-electrical engineer, moves with his family (his new wife Amy, his daughter Jessica, and her younger brother David) to South Africa to work on a dam project. Hoping for a bonding experience, Amy takes the kids on a safari/game drive while Tom stays to work. During the drive, they’re stranded in their vehicle after their guide is killed by a pride of lions—he had the keys. Amy, Jessica and David must survive inside the car, surrounded by hungry lions. Meanwhile, Tom and a big-game hunter named Crawford organize a search to rescue them. Much of the tension comes from the family’s isolation, the undermined relationships (especially between Jessica and her stepmother Amy), and the constant threat of the lions. Survival becomes a fight of wits, fear, and resourcefulness.
2. Notable Elements
What stands out / works well:
- Natural Horror with Real Threat: Unlike supernatural monsters, the danger here is all too real—lions stalking, scratching, trying to get in. That grounded threat can make the fear immediate.
- Family Conflict & Emotional Tension: Jessica’s resentment toward Amy (her stepmom) adds emotional stakes; the danger exacerbates their relationship issues and eventually forces growth.
- Isolation & Setting: The African wilderness, remote game reserves, broken car, lack of mobility—these all contribute to tension and helplessness.
- Climactic Survival Strategy: The way Amy uses whatever’s at hand—keys, the wrecked car, even the gas tank—to try and fight back shows resourcefulness and builds suspense.
What doesn’t work / weaker aspects:
- Predictability: Many reviewers note it follows familiar tropes of animal-attack survival stories without surprising twists.
- Character Depth Limitations: Some secondary characters are thinly sketched; motivations besides basic survival or fear are not deeply explored.
- Pacing & Intensity Fluctuations: Moments of high tension are interspersed with slower scenes that drag slightly—some stretches where you’re waiting for something to happen.
3. Themes and Messages
- Survival and Fear: The movie is fundamentally about survival under extreme conditions and how fear forces people to confront their limits.
- Family Bonds Under Stress: The story explores fracture and repair in family relationships—stepmom/stepdaughter tension, trust, reassurances under duress.
- Humility in Nature: Humans are vulnerable; nature is not tame. The film reminds viewers that respect for wildlife and caution in wild settings are vital.
- Resourcefulness & Inner Strength: Amy in particular must rise to resourcefulness; the film emphasizes mental and emotional toughness, not just physical capacity.
While Prey isn’t about holiday traditions or sentiments, in a metaphorical sense it’s about confronting fears (something many films do around holidays) and reconnecting (family ties), which gives some universal resonance.
4. Personal Impressions
Strengths:
- The premise is simple but effective. Once you’re trapped in a confined vulnerable space surrounded by danger, tension builds naturally.
- Good performances by the leads—Bridget Moynahan’s Amy handles the emotional weight well; the child actors are believable and help carry the suspense.
- The setting is used well; wildlife, the danger of the African plateau, the wildlife reserve, the broken vehicle—all contribute to a sense of impending doom.
- Some scenes genuinely make you anxious (e.g. when Amy tries to retrieve keys, or when rescuers almost miss them).
Weaknesses:
- Because the film leans heavily on established formulas (family trapped, animal threat, rescue attempt), it doesn’t feel especially unique. If you’ve seen similar animal horror you’ll likely guess what happens.
- The weaker characterization of some supporting players means you don’t always care deeply about every character.
- The balance between suspense and action is uneven: some suspenseful moments are handled well, but action or rescue attempts can feel rushed or underpowered.
5. Audience Recommendations
Prey (2007) is likely to appeal to:
- Fans of survival horror / natural horror (creature-attacks) who don’t mind familiar tropes but appreciate tension and atmosphere.
- Viewers who enjoy “trapped in nature” stories (e.g. Cujo, The Edge, The Ghost and the Darkness) where isolated settings amplify fear.
- Those who enjoy family dramas layered with external threat—where character relationships (stepfamily tension, trust) matter.
Might be less satisfying for:
- Audiences wanting very deep psychological horror or high originality.
- Viewers who dislike animal violence or find the setup too predictable.
6. Conclusion & Rating
Overall, Prey (2007) delivers what it sets out to: a tense, survival thriller with an animal predator component, supplemented by family drama. It’s not groundbreaking, but it works reasonably well within its genre, especially when you’re looking for something to watch for the suspense rather than philosophical depth.
Final Recommendation: Worth watching if you’re into creature survival films and like real-animal tension over supernatural horror. Good for a weekend movie night when you want suspense and danger in the wild.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
