And the violence? Brutal when it happens — but earned. Not gore for gore’s sake. Every death serves the story.
The French trappers aren’t just set dressing. They’re arrogant, brutal, and techno-logical (guns, traps, numbers). They see the Comanche as obstacles or savages. They slaughter buffalo for pelts, leaving meat to rot. Prey 2022
Thankfully, Prey ignores the messy “Predator civil war” and “alien DNA upgrades” nonsense of later sequels. It restores the original’s mystery: These things have been visiting Earth for centuries. Different clans. Different styles. Same honor code. And the violence
The movie's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of intense action sequences, suspenseful moments, and quieter character-driven scenes. The score, composed by Sarah Barthelmy, adds to the film's tension and excitement, perfectly capturing the mood and atmosphere of each scene. Every death serves the story
Keywords used: Prey 2022, Prey Predator movie, Prey 2022 review, Prey 2022 Comanche, Prey 2022 sequel, Amber Midthunder, Dan Trachtenberg.
The biggest sin of later Predator sequels was escalation. The Predator (2018) featured giant Predator dogs, hybrid super-suits, and a plot that made zero sense. Prey 2022 walked that back. The setting is silent, sparse, and brutal. The film understands the original’s core appeal: a lone warrior using terrain and traps to outsmart a superior force. By replacing the modern jungle with the 18th-century wilderness, the stakes feel real. There is no cavalry coming. No radio. No rescue.
As a survival thriller, Prey emphasizes the horror of being hunted. The Predator is not simply fighting against technological rivals; it is engaged in a hunt against a skilled native survivor, making the fight far more unpredictable and visceral. A Decolonial Perspective