Thirty-five years ago, the sci-fi action classic Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by Die Hard filmmaker John McTiernan, burst into theaters, bringing machismo, humor, and hardcore violence to its respective genres. A few sequels, as well as a couple of crossover films with Alien, were made over the years, but none of them matched the skill and excitement of the original 1987 feature.
Prey, the fifth Predator film in the series, is an upcoming prequel that not only has an opportunity to match the greatness of the first movie, but can also depict new characters and perspectives. A new timeline and setting can also set the stage for explaining the origins of the alien creature known as the Predator.
New Characters and Protagonists
Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, and Jesse Ventura all portrayed tough, memorable characters with lean, mean attitudes and catchy one-liners who gave the Predator a good battle in the original film. The sequels tried to match the success of the 1987, movie but were unable to capture originality, getting too bogged down in delivering non-stop action and overly graphic, violent sequences. Each sequel also continued depicting protagonists who were American soldiers and/or members of law enforcement. While those characters weren't bad (especially Danny Glover's LAPD officer Mike Harrigan), they didn't bring much freshness to the series.
In Prey, the main characters this time are Native Americans, specifically warriors who are part of the Comanche Nation in the early 1700s. This tribe is led by a young woman named Naru (played by Amber Midthunder). While Amber may not be a major star like Schwarzenegger, she has appeared in some popular films such as best picture nominee Hell or High Water, The Marksman and The Ice Road (both starring Liam Neeson), and TV shows like Legion and Roswell, New Mexico. There have been some tough female characters in the Predator films, but never one in a leading role (except for Alien vs. Predator). Naru could be a game changer in terms of female empowerment in this sci-fi action franchise.
Based on the official trailer for Prey, Naru shares similar qualities to Sigourney Weaver's Ripley from the Alien franchise. She's a young woman who is fearful and vulnerable, but also tough and skilled with weaponry. Naru is not only determined to prove herself as a worthy leader to her tribe, but she also intends to defeat the larger-than-life Predator creature to showcase her hunting abilities. The supporting cast contains other warriors of the Comanche Nation, who also appear to be strong fighters, along with Colonizers who are heavily armed but unmatched compared to the Predator's strength and element of surprise.
New Timeline and Setting
The Predator series has always taken place either in the 20th or 21st Century, or further in the future where there's more machinery and advanced technology. By setting Prey in the past during the 18th Century, there's plenty of intrigue. It raises questions concerning how the Predator originated, and/or when the creature first arrived on Earth. With the film taking place in 1719, this also means that there's no advanced weaponry (except for the Predator's), making Naru and her Comanche tribe very vulnerable. However, they appear to be skilled hunters who can work with knives, axes, bows and arrows, and other man-made weapons to defend themselves.
The Predator, as shown briefly in the trailer, appears just as strong and deadly as in the previous films, with an incredible sequence in which the creature picks up and kills a big bear in front of Naru. This signifies that the Predator will continue to establish itself as the most dangerous hunter in the world. While the Predator will still have blasters, the villainous creature will also use sharp weapons to confront its prey face-to-face. The setting of the Comanche Nation also holds an appealing look, with vast landscapes, trees, and a jungle-like scenery reminiscent of the first film.
The Plot of Prey
Naru and her tribe will inevitably fight the Predator, but the main plot of the film is another major question. There will undoubtedly be insightful backstories involving Naru and the Comanche Nation, including how they live together, what they hunt to survive, and their way of life. The Colonizers also appear to be a major threat to the Natives and their lands, leading to territorial wars between both sides. While it's unlikely, there is also the question regarding whether there will be more than one Predator for the Natives to battle, leading to potential sequels that could include more fights between humans and aliens.
This film marks the second feature for director Dan Trachtenberg, who made his debut when he filmed the psychological sci-fi horror thriller10 Cloverfield Lane. Similarly, his previous work is part of another popular franchise (Cloverfield) and also contains a female protagonist who is at odds against mysterious and monstrous alien creatures. Trachtenberg's goal for Prey is to create a Predator feature that is both thrilling and deadly, focusing more on the nature of hunting and less on over-the-top gore and special effects. Of course, however, there will be plenty of bloody R-rated violence and great visuals once again on the creature and its arsenal of weapons.
Prey is an ambitious project considering the lack of success in the Predator sequels that failed to live up to the original film. However, with a new cast of characters that can offer a different perspective, along with a relatively new filmmaker, this prequel can take the Predator franchise to another level.