Prey (2022) provides a distinctness as well as deep similarity to its original predecessor, Predator (1987). The soundtrack, composed by Sarah Schachner, really brings weight to the entire film. With the use of the double barrel flute as well as other Native instruments, a tone is
created, which suits the environment and adds so much to each scene. The cinematography, done by Jeff Cutter, who’s done wonders for films such as 10 cloverfield lane, creates a congested and closed off look. For each of the characters, it becomes this claustrophobic
picture, encapsulating the feel of just the terror of the predator. Set in the early 1700s in the Northern Great Plains region of America, it follows a young and determined Comanche warrior, Naru, played by Amber Midthunder, with the intent to prove to her tribe that she is capable of being a hunter, by performing her Kuhtaamia (the big hunt, hunt something which is hunting you) while also facing off against a vicious predator. Although countless times she is mocked by her tribe and fellow hunters of this dream, the struggle towards her goal leads her to find an alien creature, known as the predator. In the beginning of the film when we are introduced to Naru, she is seen hunting a deer. We learn that the axe she uses to hunt was presented as a farming tool by her father, as was the tradition or custom for women at that time. However, Naru’s desire to prove to her tribe that she can hunt, just as well as anyone else, guides her to use it for that purpose. Naru wanting to be a warrior amongst her tribe is taken as a taboo, but despite all the scrutiny she faces from them, she never takes it as an invitation to despair. In an effort to show her independence, especially from her brother, Tabee, she runs out into the wilderness with her dog, Sarii. During that time, she practices her hunting, learning the environment around her, even getting close to death.
During her time in the woods, she stumbles upon a hoard of buffalos, who appear to be skinned by french frontiersmen. The frontiersmen themselves, mirror the predator, because they invade the sanctity of the Comanche land. She soon finds herself, face to face with the predator. However, even the predator does not see her as a threat, as when she gets away from his clutches, the predator does not follow. Naru, as a character, is looked down upon by almost everyone and every thing she comes across. Even after this, when Naru is found by hunters from her tribe, they refuse to let her go and stand in disbelief of there even being such a beast as the predator. In an attempt to bring Naru back to their home, the predator finds them, but again, Naru narrowly escapes from him. Out of all the characters in the film, Tabee is the only one who genuinely believes in her. Tabee and Naru have a significant relationship in this film. Their relationship is so strong that even with their tribe’s distaste, Tabee is able to forget it and trust in what he believes his younger sister is capable of. The frontiersmen face a great threat against the predator as well. Seeing as after they capture Naru and Tabee, they set them up as bait to reel in the predator. However the predator is able to realize this, and thus thwarts their entire operation. During this, Naru gets taught how to fire a musket rifle, however in its process, Tabee gets killed by the predator. With this we enter the final stage of the film, where Naru eats a calendula flower, to lower her body temperature so as to not be seen by the predators’ heat seeking. And using her skills in the end, by using the musket rifle to blow the predator’s mask off, she uses its own weapons to finally kill it. In many ways this film represents a breath of fresh air, as its predecessors tend to fall short of their story. Prey brings out representation of native americans, as well as transforms the age old man versus monster formula, into a living, breathing take of a young Comanche warrior, setting the stage to show her wit and fearlessness, in taking on a monster of great stature and performing her Kuhtaamia.
