Prey – Hulu Review (4/5)

PREY on Hulu is the new Predator prequel that takes place several centuries ago. This makes for a simple story that offers both new insights and feels wonderfully familiar. You’ll want to check this out. Read our full Prey movie review here!

PREY is the new Hulu movie that is actually a Predator prequel. This newest entry in the Predator franchise gives us plenty of insights into the actual Predator creature. You won’t just be seeing it for a split second here and there. And, of course, the visuals are absolutely stunning.

The fact that this has been created as an action-thriller set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, is a stroke of brilliance. There are no buildings or modern machines to obscure or help. Instead, it’s a very classic fight based on wits and knowledge of the world you live in.

Continue reading our Prey movie review below. The film will stream exclusively on Hulu from August 5, 2022.

The world is saved by the Comanche

Prey is the story of a young woman, Naru, who comes across a creature unlike any she has seen (or heard of) before. She is herself a fierce and highly skilled warrior. However, born female, she has been raised in the shadow of legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains. Her brother being one of the best in her tribe.

Fortunately, he does recognize that his sister has both skill and talent, so he tries to support her. Still, no one really believes her when this new danger threatens their camp. So Naru sets out to protect her people.

Only too late does she realize that the prey she stalks, and later confronts, is the highly evolved alien predator. This creature has both physical strength and a technically advanced arsenal. In other words, it seems impossible for Naru to win.

When the white man (in the form of the French poachers) also gets in her way, it seems even more impossible. However, Naru is a Comanche and knows more about the world she’s been raised in than both the alien predator and the French fortune hunters.

Lots of blood and torture

As with any Predator movie, Prey does offer up quite a lot of blood spills and torture. Bodies are ripped apart and body parts do go flying through the air. However, I will gladly spoil this one fact; In true John Wick style, the dog will survive!

Also, the filmmakers were committed to providing an accurate portrayal of the Comanche. As an obvious result of this, the film features a cast comprised almost entirely of Native and First Nation talent.

ALSO, READ

Our review of DON’T SAY ITS NAME which is also set in a Native American community>

This includes Amber Midthunder (The Ice Road, Roswell: New Mexico) as the main protagonist Naru. Amber Midthunder is perfect in this role and comes across as extremely believable as both a warrior and young tribe member who won’t listen to her elders when they have no faith in her.

In other roles, we see newcomer Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp (Sooyii), Michelle Thrush (The Journey Home), and Julian Black Antelope (Tribal). Finally, Prey stars Dane DiLiegro (American Horror Stories) as the huge and very muscular Predator.

Watch Prey on Hulu!

Prey is directed by Dan Trachtenberg who first came onto our radar when he directed 10 Cloverfield Lane which we loved here at Heaven of Horror. The screenplay was written by Patrick Aison (Jack Ryan, Treadstone), and makes for a very thrilling and action-packed starting point.

The new Predator prequel was produced by John Davis (Jungle Cruise, The Predator), Jhane Myers (Monsters of God), and Marty Ewing (It: Chapter Two). As executive producers, we have Lawrence Gordon (Watchmen), Ben Rosenblatt (Snowpiercer), James E. Thomas, John C. Thomas, and Marc Toberoff (Fantasy Island).

Outside the US, Prey will be released on Disney+ in many countries. However, do be aware that this is not for children in any way. Unless the kids are as crazy about horror movies as you are. This movie is full of blood and violence (both towards other humans and animals as well as the Predator), so keep that in mind. Enjoy!

Prey will stream exclusively as a Hulu Original on August 5, 2022.

Details

Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Writer: Patrick Aison
Cast: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope, Dane DiLiegro