Prey is an action film set in the Comanche Nation of the early 1700s era. In those historical times, both the famed Predator and the armed soldiers from the Colonial Powers were out to catch/kill their prey (s).
To maintain the authenticity of that era, this movie has become the first movie completely dubbed in the Comanche language. The Comanche language is a Numic language of the indigenous people belonging to the Uto-Aztecan. This indigenous language is spoken by the Comanche tribe, a Native American tribe from the Southern Plains of the present-day United States of America.
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Prey (2022) movie:- synopsis
Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, it is the story of a young woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
Prey (2022) movie:- review
It is a worthy prequel to the Predator franchise, which is led by the great action global star Arnold Schwarzenegger. So, if you love sci-fi action, then do watch this movie for Amber Midthunder’s impressive action scenes. We think the movie is a welcome addition to the popular Predator franchise. So, don’t miss it, if you are a fan of the Predator movies.
Prey (2022) is the fifth instalment of the famous Predator franchise. However, this is the seventh Predator film, if we count the two Alien vs. Predator movies, too. It is set in the Northern Great Plains in 1719, thus this movie is a prequel to the first four Predator films of the past - Predator (1987), Predator (1990), Predators (2010) and Predator (2018) movies.
This movie was shot in Calgary, in the Canadian province of Alberta to capture the look and feel of the North American continent with its pristine forests and waterways that existed before extensive colonization in the early 1700 era. Also, the movie crew included quite a few atmospheric touches to emphasize the primaeval look of that age and the location.
In this film, we can see that the indigenous Comanches people use traditional bows, arrows, spears and other similar weapons against the technologically advanced Alien Predator, although Comanches used their sophisticated tactics and ingenious hunting skills. Reportedly, the elders and leaders of the Comanche tribe have praised the people associated with this movie for using the Comanche language as well as for honest and genuine portrayal of their Native American Comanche tribe.
As this movie is set in the Comanche Nation – its writers, directors and producers have made sure to tell this story genuinely and authentically. For instance, in one of the scenes in the movie – the Predator cloaks itself turning invisible, before battling Taabe and Naru. At that time, Taabe shouts something in anger which is not translated into the English version of the movie. But its Comanche version reveals that he screams “Cheater!” for becoming invisible and not fighting in the open.
I liked the fact that indigenous Native Americans are carving their own identity in the mainstream movie/series world of the influential Western entertainment world.
This movie is certainly a step in the right direction.
Focus:- actress Amber Midthunder
With lots of energy and enthusiasm, Amber Midthunder has portrayed the role of an Indigenous female action heroine “Naru” – a Comanche tribal girl of the 1700s with great conviction and commitment. Amber plays the character of Naru in this movie and she has been hailed as the breakthrough actor among the indigenous Native Americans. She is the first Native American lead star in a mainstream Hollywood movie.
You (being a Native American actor) very rarely get good representation (in Hollywood movies) — good being accurate, respectful or something to be proud about……This is the first time you get to see an Indigenous female action hero at the centre of a film. That in and of itself is a really incredible statement.
Amber Mindthunder | Hollywood Reporter
This sci-fi film boasts of the first indigenous female action heroine Naru (Amber Midthunder) in the famous Predator movie franchise of mainstream Hollywood cinema.
Prey (2022) movie:- details
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama |
| Released | July 2022 |
| Languages | English & Comanche (native American) languages |
| Director | Dan Trachtenberg |
| Taglines | The Hunt Begins |
| Age-restrictions | Rated R for the strong bloody violence |
| Writers | Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg, Jim Thomas |
| Cast | Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee Kipp, etc. |
| Awards | Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards 2022 – Breakthrough Artist – International – Amber Midthunder ReFrame Stamp 2023 – Feature |
| First | This film is making history with its dubbing in the Comanche language, indeed it is a big step forward for the Indigenous people’s language (s). |
Prey (2022) movie:- poster
Prey (2022) movie:- ratings
| FM’s rating | 3.75/5 |
| IMDb rating as of the date | 7.10/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 93% Tomatometer & 73% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus / Rotten Tomatoes | The rare action thriller that spikes adrenaline without skimping on character development, this film is a Predator prequel done right. |
| Audience Says / Rotten Tomatoes | If you can look past some dodgy effects, this film is pretty much the back-to-basics Predator instalment fans have been waiting years to see. |
Prey (2022) movie:- trailer
If you like this film with an Indigenous Native American lead, then check out the Dark Winds (S1) and Dark Winds (S2) series, too.
Featured & Other Images: Prey film | Hulu.