1. Plot Summary

Set 300 years in the past within the Comanche Nation, Prey follows young warrior Naru (Amber Midthunder) as she strives to prove herself capable of protecting her tribe. When an alien Predator arrives and begins hunting people and wildlife, Naru sets out to confront this stealthy, technologically advanced predator. She uses age-old tracking skills, natural camouflage, and ingenuity to survive the cat-and-mouse encounter on the Great Plains.

2. Notable Elements

• Indigenous-led storytelling: The film centers on a predominantly Native American cast and crew—groundbreaking within the Predator franchise, with fully authentic representation and cultural accuracy.

• Amber Midthunder’s breakout turn: Her physical performance as Naru is raw, compelling, and anchored in emotional authenticity.

• Skillful action and suspense: Indigenous hunting tactics, silent sequences, and forest ambushes build palpable tension. Standouts include Naru’s bog trap and skillful use of traditional weapons against the Predator.

• Sound and score: Sarah Schachner’s original score, weaving ancient string motifs and flutes, heightens Naru’s emotional arc while maintaining thematic distance from prior films.

• High critical acclaim: With a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics hailed Prey as “the best Predator installment since the original”

3. Themes and Messages

• Nature vs. Technology: The film juxtaposes ancestral wisdom and natural skills with alien tech, emphasizing respect for nature and resourcefulness over machinery.

• Empowerment and representation: Naru’s journey transcends survival—it’s a rite of passage and cultural assertion for a tribe reclaiming its storytelling power.

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• Subversion of colonial tropes: By making Naru and her people the heroes, Prey inverts decades of Western cinematic narratives, presenting Indigenous characters as nuanced protagonists.

4. Personal Impressions

Strengths:

• A fresh, culturally rich take on sci‑fi horror that feels both new and reverent.

• Midthunder’s performance is both visceral and moving—she carries the film with physicality and spirit.

• Tactile world-building—from animal interactions to cloth and rope textures—it feels lived-in and immediate.

Potential Weaknesses:

• Some Predator encounters rely on CGI that occasionally dips into PG‑13 territory, compromising suspense.

• Plot structure follows a familiar hunter-versus-prey arc, which may limit surprises for franchise veterans.

5. Audience Recommendations

✔ Predator fans seeking a grounded, thoughtfully reimagined entry.
✔ Viewers drawn to Indigenous-led cinema and cultural authenticity.
✔ Fans of survival thrillers with atmospheric tension and strategic combat.

🚫 Less suited for those looking for franchise-level creature design or major narrative twists.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Prey offers a bold, respectful, and thrilling reinvention of the Predator mythos—centered on a powerful female Indigenous lead, steeped in cultural integrity and naturalistic storytelling. It successfully combines high-stakes survival with meaningful representation.

Final Recommendation: A must-watch: smart, fierce, and refreshing—an exemplary balance of action and authenticity.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)