Prey (2022)

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This week on Catching Up On Cinema, Kyle and Trevor review Dan Trachtenberg’s, Prey (2022)!

The latest film in the Predator franchise, Prey concerns a young Comanche woman doing battle with a Predator/yautja in the early 1700’s.

Wisely pivoting away from the overly complicated (and downright silly) concepts introduced in the prior entry in the series, The Predator (2018), Prey is refreshingly straightforward and back-to-basics, both in terms of its plotting and in terms of the complexity of weaponry utilized by the cast.

Ably headlined by Amber Midthunder as apriring Comanche hunter, Naru, Prey’s plot hews closer to Predators (2010) than Predator (1987) in that it prioritizes character examination and growth over pure suspense and action.

Aptly (and cleverly) titled, the relationship between our protagonist and the iconic Predator is fascinating to watch unfold, with many subtle revelations being effectively communicated to the viewer through visual plantings and payoffs rather than clunky exposition.

Though blunt in its use of metaphor and drawing of parallels between elements of American history, the sincerity of Prey’s production design and period detail result in an experience that is thankfully devoid of cringe or eye rolls.

With simple, but highly relatable characterization, gobs of terrifically violent and organically choreographed action, Prey succeeds where many a Predator sequel has failed, delivering on expected franchise elements, while adding some new and very welcome wrinkles to its rich tapestry of tropes.

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