'Prey' Review: A Visceral Return To Form For the Franchise
The Predator has returned to our screens, more specifically our television screens with Hulu’s Prey, a prequel that manages to not only return the franchise to its roots successfully, but reinvigorate it in the process as well.
Prey takes place hundreds of years before the events of John McTiernan’s original film starring the incomparable Arnold Schwarzenegger, focusing on Naru, played by Amber Midthunder, a highly skilled female warrior from the Comanche tribe, who aims to hunt down a mysterious and dangerous predator in order to protect her tribe and prove herself to her people.
Helming this prequel is director Dan Trachtenberg, who previously directed the highly underrated 10 Cloverfield Lane, a tense and claustrophobic thriller that continued the alluring Cloverfield franchise. Trachtenberg clearly understands this franchise and its widespread appeal, in addition to what makes this creature so compelling and fun to watch as it slaughters its unknowing and unprepared prey. Each action sequence is perfectly constructed, with Trachtenberg able to ramp up the tension and suspense just before the Predator makes its presence known to its unsuspecting victims. He also perfectly balances showcasing the creature early on with focusing on the Comanche tribe, more specifically the engaging relationships between Naru and the rest of her family. Her interplay with her brother Taabe, played by Dakota Beavers, is fantastic and their familial relationship feels rich and fleshed out.
However, fans of this beloved franchise are tuning in for the bloodshed and action sequences that by no means disappoint. Trachtenberg and his creative team have crafted phenomenal action sequences that fully utilize the creature to its full potential, delivering some of the most brutal, visceral kills the franchise has ever put on display. The camera work is extremely immersive, fully showcasing fantastic choreography and attention to detail, giving the audience beautiful, extended wide shots of the creature facing off against Naru, her tribe, and other outsiders.
Though the action sequences are stellar, the central performance from Midthunder is the true highlight of the film. She commands the screen, delivering the goods during the action sequences and becoming a likable protagonist effortlessly, channeling charm and gravitas in equal measure. Simply put, this is a star making performance that not only is the best in the franchise since the original film, but also cements the actress as a talent to watch going forward.
The film is also expertly paced, clocking in at a perfect runtime of an hour and a half. It never overstays its welcome or feels sluggish, always delivering compelling action, character work, or suspense. Trachtenberg knows how to balance character and action set pieces intelligently, taking the time to establish and flesh out the main characters before they land themselves in precarious situations involving the elusive and imposing Predator.
After numerous sequels that failed to live up to the caliber of the original Predator film, Prey is a smart return to the franchise and creature’s roots, delivering a bloody, nature-soaked prequel that delivers the goods. This is a lean, mean, very well-crafted action thriller that should not only please fans of this long-running franchise, but should satisfy the uninitiated as well.