Prey
Predator prequel set in 1719, no prior franchise knowledge needed
The brief
Dan Trachtenberg strips the Predator franchise back to its primal roots with a lean, mean survival thriller that actually remembers what made the original work. Amber Midthunder is magnetic as Naru, bringing genuine fierceness without falling into typical "strong female character" traps, and the 1719 Great Plains setting gives every hunt sequence a raw, tactile weight. The pacing builds tension like a coiled spring - no bloated action scenes, just smart cat-and-mouse gameplay between two apex predators figuring each other out. Perfect for anyone who loved the first Predator but has been burned by every sequel since, or if you're craving an action movie that trusts its protagonist's intelligence.
The verdict
If you love lean, intelligent thrillers that prioritize genuine tension over flashy spectacle, this is exactly the Predator movie you've been waiting for since 1987. If you need constant action beats or aren't interested in a more grounded, survival-focused approach to the franchise, you'll find this frustratingly slow.
Watch with
- 👥 Action fans who appreciate character-driven thrillers
- 👤 Those seeking smart, lean storytelling
- ⚠️ Viewers sensitive to intense violence
Heads up
- Intense predator-on-prey violence throughout (frequent)
- Animal deaths in hunting scenes (moderate)
- Graphic alien kills and gore (moderate)
- Brief but brutal hand-to-hand combat (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Dan Trachtenberg
- Cast
- Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Michelle Thrush, Stormee Kipp, Julian Black Antelope, Dane DiLiegro, Stefany Mathias
Official synopsis
When danger threatens her camp, the fierce and highly skilled Comanche warrior Naru sets out to protect her
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Sisters Brothers (2018)
Both feature skilled hunters becoming the hunted in violent frontier settings.
Total runtime: 1h 40m + 2h 01m = 3h 41m
