Picture this. You are flipping through a stack of old VHS tapes at a garage sale when one catches your eye. It has that familiar green and black Predator artwork from 1987, except the jungle has been swapped for wide open plains and the hero is not Arnold but a young Comanche woman named Naru. That feeling is exactly what Prey brings back in 2022, and today we are going to walk through its ending, the choices that led there, and why this prequel still feels so fresh for anyone who grew up loving the original.
Prey, the bold 2022 entry in the long-running Predator franchise, strips the sci-fi action saga back to its visceral roots, blending survival horror with historical grit. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, this prequel reimagines the Yautja hunter in the 18th century American frontier, where a young woman named Naru proves that courage and cleverness can topple even the most advanced foe.
The film’s ending masterfully subverts expectations, revealing Naru’s growth from dreamer to legend through a trap that echoes Predator lore. Survival horror elements amplify the franchise’s tension, drawing from 80s slashers while honouring indigenous resilience. Trachtenberg’s vision revitalises nostalgia for the original 1987 classic, cementing Prey’s place in retro horror revival.
The Predator’s Ancient Hunt: A Prequel Born from Nostalgia
The Predator series, kicking off with the 1987 blockbuster starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, always thrived on the thrill of an unstoppable alien hunter stalking human prey in exotic locales. Prey transports this concept to 1719 among the Comanche people of the northern plains, introducing Naru, a fierce aspiring warrior played by Amber Midthunder. From the opening scenes, the film establishes a world of raw survival, where buffalo hunts and rival tribes demand constant vigilance. Naru, overlooked by her male peers for her gender, idolises her missing brother Taabe and dreams of proving herself as a paha, a great warrior. This setup immediately hooks viewers familiar with the franchise’s muscle-bound heroes, flipping the script to a lithe, determined protagonist whose weapons are as much her wits as her lance.
What sets Prey apart lies in its commitment to historical authenticity blended with extraterrestrial terror. The Comanche camp bustles with period-accurate details: tipis adorned with painted symbols, sinew bows, and rituals invoking nature spirits. When the Feral Predator crash-lands, its cloaking tech and plasma caster initially render it a ghost in the machine, picking off wildlife and humans alike. The creature’s design harks back to the original’s biomechanical dreadlocks and mandibles, but with a more primitive, trophy-laden aesthetic, suggesting an earlier evolutionary stage in Yautja history. Collectors of Predator memorabilia appreciate these nods, as the film’s practical effects evoke the latex suits of Stan Winston’s golden era, far removed from modern CGI overload.
Trachtenberg masterfully builds dread through environmental storytelling. Vast prairies and dense forests become a chessboard where Naru deciphers the Predator’s patterns. Early kills, like the eviscerated mountain lion or the French trappers’ gruesome fates, pulse with 80s horror vibes reminiscent of The Thing or Aliens. Blood sprays realistically, limbs sever with crunchy impacts, and the Predator’s guttural clicks heighten paranoia. For retro fans, this recalls the original’s jungle stalk, but Prey’s slower pace allows tension to simmer, turning every rustle into a potential death knell. At Dyerbolical we have always loved how these small production choices keep the spirit of 1987 alive while giving new viewers something they can feel in their bones.
Naru’s Arc: From Outcast to Apex Hunter
Amber Midthunder’s Naru embodies the survival horror protagonist perfected in retro gaming and film. Much like Ellen Ripley or Samus Aran, she evolves through trial by fire. Initially dismissed during a buffalo hunt fiasco, Naru witnesses the Predator’s savagery firsthand, becoming obsessed with exposing the ‘monster’. Her journey mirrors classic coming-of-age tales in 80s cinema, infused with indigenous pride. Consultants from the Northern Cheyenne tribe ensured cultural accuracy, from language to sign language, grounding the fantasy in respect that elevates the narrative beyond exploitation.
Key sequences showcase Naru’s ingenuity. Capturing a rattlesnake to study venom parallels the Predator’s trophy collection, humanising the alien while showcasing her resourcefulness. When French mercenaries armed with muskets enter the fray, the power dynamic shifts, pitting colonial firepower against prehistoric tech. Naru allies uneasily with them, scavenging a flintlock pistol that becomes her ace. This escalation nods to the franchise’s love of mismatched arsenals, from miniguns in the original to smart discs in sequels, but Prey keeps it grounded in flint and steel. Those moments matter because they show how every tool, no matter how simple, can turn the tide when you understand your enemy.
The film’s sound design amplifies Naru’s isolation. Twanging bowstrings, howling winds, and the Predator’s infrared vision scans create an auditory nightmare. Retro enthusiasts draw parallels to NES games like Contra, where pixelated hunters demanded pattern recognition. Naru’s training montages, chopping wood to build strength, echo Rocky’s grit, but with a feminine ferocity that resonates in today’s nostalgia cycles. It is that mix of old-school tension and fresh perspective that makes the whole story click for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Clash of Titans: Predator vs. Human vs. Nature
Prey excels in triangulating threats: the Feral Predator, human interlopers, and the wild itself. A brutal ambush by French trappers leaves Naru wounded and the Predator maimed, forcing uneasy truces. The alien’s mask removal reveals scarred flesh, hinting at a warrior culture scarred by endless hunts. This vulnerability humanises the monster, a trope from 80s creature features like Predator 2, where urban decay mirrored inner savagery.
Mid-film twists ramp up the horror. Naru’s sister turns on her out of fear, and Taabe’s return complicates loyalties. The Predator’s healing tech, glimpsing wrist gauntlets, teases lore fans craving canon expansion. Battles unfold with balletic violence: lances impaling cloaked forms, bear traps snapping mandibles. Trachtenberg films these in long takes, evoking John McTiernan’s kinetic jungle skirmishes from the 1987 film. Watching those scenes again, you realise how much the director respects the original while carving out space for something new.
Themes of colonialism weave subtly. French fur traders represent invasive greed, their guns outmatched by both Comanche skill and alien might. Naru’s triumph asserts indigenous sovereignty, a fresh lens on the franchise’s imperial undertones. For 90s nostalgia buffs, it recalls Mortal Kombat fatalities crossed with historical epics like Dances with Wolves. The balance feels honest because it never lectures; it simply lets the action and setting do the talking.
The Ingenious Climax: Bellows, Bullets, and Brains
As the finale ignites, Naru lures the Predator to a rocky outcrop, rigging bellows from a cave to blast smoke and obscure its vision. This low-tech counter to cloaking tech is pure genius, rooted in Comanche fire-making traditions. Fans dissect it endlessly: the Predator, blinded and enraged, charges into Naru’s trap. She fires the pilfered pistol point-blank, the lead ball piercing its helmet visor in a gory explosion.
But the ending doesn’t stop at victory. Naru scalps the corpse, claiming its gear as trophies, then signals her tribe with a bear-claw necklace mirroring the Predator’s spine adornments. A post-credits nod shows the mask shipped to Dutch (Schwarzenegger’s character), linking to 1987 canon. This closure satisfies lore hounds while symbolising cycle of hunters: Naru becomes the apex predator. The choice to end on that quiet moment of reflection instead of a big explosion is what makes it linger long after the credits roll.
Survival horror meaning crystallises here. The Predator franchise always pitted tech against tenacity, but Prey elevates it to philosophical heights. Nature’s fury (wolf attacks, raging rivers) humbles all, affirming that adaptation trumps supremacy. Retrospectives praise how it recaptures the original’s schlocky thrills minus dated one-liners. It proves that the best horror often comes from watching ordinary people use what they know best to survive the impossible.
Legacy of the Hunt: Reviving Predator Fever
Prey grossed modestly in theatres but exploded on Hulu, sparking merchandise booms: Funko Pops of the Feral Predator, NECA figures with bellows accessories. It revitalised 80s nostalgia, topping fan polls over AVP crossovers. Sequels loom, with Trachtenberg helming Predator: Badlands, promising more frontier ferocity. The success shows how a well-told story can breathe new life into a franchise that many thought had run its course.
Cultural ripples extend to gaming. Prey’s stealth mechanics inspire modern titles like The Pathless, while its horror purity influences indie devs chasing Alien isolation vibes. Collectors hoard steelbooks etched with Comanche motifs, bridging VHS era tapes to Blu-ray collectors’ editions. Every new piece of merchandise feels like an invitation to revisit the 1987 original with fresh eyes.
Critics laud its empowerment narrative, scoring 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet purists debate the Predator’s ferocity; some miss thermal vision mud splatters. Overall, it cements the saga’s endurance, proving survival horror evolves without losing primal punch. That ongoing conversation is part of what keeps the franchise alive for collectors and casual viewers alike.
Director in the Spotlight: Dan Trachtenberg’s Visionary Path
Dan Trachtenberg, born in 1981 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emerged from advertising and music videos into feature filmmaking with a flair for confined terror. After directing commercials for brands like Nike and campaigns evoking nostalgia, he caught J.J. Abrams’ eye with short film Portal: No Escape (2011), a fan-made dive into Valve’s game universe that showcased his knack for immersive worlds. Abrams produced Trachtenberg’s debut feature, 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), a claustrophobic psychological thriller starring John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The film grossed over $110 million on a $15 million budget, earning Oscar nods for sound and earning Trachtenberg acclaim for ratcheting tension in bottle episodes.
His episodic work includes helming key Black Mirror instalments like ‘Playtest’ (2016), blending horror with tech dread, and ‘USS Callister’ (2017), a Star Trek parody with sci-fi bite. Trachtenberg directed two The Boys episodes (2019), honing action chops amid superhero satire. Prey marked his Predator entry, greenlit after a proof-of-concept short, praised for authentic casting and effects blending old-school puppets with subtle CGI. Upcoming, he directs Predator: Badlands (2025), starring Elle Fanning, and episodes of Orville and Keyshawn, JWill & Max.
Influenced by Spielberg’s wonder and Carpenter’s dread, Trachtenberg’s career spans commercials (LEGO ads, 2010s), music videos (Foster the People), and key works: Portal: No Escape (2011, short); 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016); Black Mirror: Playtest (2016); Black Mirror: USS Callister (2017); The Boys: The Big Ride (2019); Prey (2022). His style emphasises practical stunts, diverse leads, and lore fidelity, making him a retro revival architect.
Actor in the Spotlight: Amber Midthunder’s Rise as Naru
Amber Midthunder, born April 26, 1997, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Apache filmmaker Gary Farmer and abstract artist Sunni DeSanto, blends indigenous heritage with Hollywood breakout. Rising from child roles in The Jungle Book (2010) as a Grey Brother wolf, she gained traction in Legion (2017-2019) as Kerry Loudermilk, a split-personality assassin opposite Dan Stevens. Her magnetic intensity shone in Prey (2022), portraying Naru with raw athleticism, training rigorously in archery and MMA for authenticity.
Midthunder’s filmography spans genres: Martin: The Lie (2017 short); Rebel Alley (2017); Shadow Wolves (2019); Prey (2022); upcoming Borderlands (2024) as Tiny Tina, voicing the chaotic demolitions expert; Predator: Badlands (2025) in a lead role. Television credits include Doom Patrol (2021) as Laura Mooney, Roswell, New Mexico (2019-2022), and The Road to Paloma (2014), her feature debut penned by her father. Awards include MTV Movie nominations for Prey, cementing her as a scream queen successor to Sigourney Weaver.
Advocating for Native representation, Midthunder’s career trajectory from indie (Drunktown’s Finest, 2014) to blockbusters highlights resilience, much like Naru. Her influences span martial arts icons and 80s action heroines, positioning her for franchise dominance. Seeing her carry this film so confidently makes you hopeful for what comes next in the series.
Bibliography
Collura, S. (2022) Prey Director Dan Trachtenberg on How He Made the Best Predator Movie. IGN. Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/prey-director-dan-trachtenberg-interview (Accessed 15 October 2024).
Kit, B. (2021) Dan Trachtenberg to Direct Next Predator Movie for 20th Century. Hollywood Reporter. Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/predator-movie-dan-trachtenberg-direct-1235023456/ (Accessed 15 October 2024).
Midthunder, A. (2022) Interview: Amber Midthunder on Becoming a Predator Slayer. Empire Magazine. Available at: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/amber-midthunder-prey-interview/ (Accessed 15 October 2024).
Shay, J. (1987) Predator: The Making of a Sci-Fi Classic. Cinefex, 31, pp. 4-23.
Topel, F. (2022) Prey Ending Explained: Dan Trachtenberg on Naru’s Victory. Screen Rant. Available at: https://screenrant.com/prey-movie-ending-explained-dan-trachtenberg/ (Accessed 15 October 2024).
Varanini, S. (2022) Prey Review: A Return to Predator’s Hunting Grounds. Giant Bomb. Available at: https://www.giantbomb.com/prey-2022/3030-76545/user-reviews/2200-59285/ (Accessed 15 October 2024).
Got thoughts? Drop them below!
For more articles visit us at https://dyerbolical.com.
Join the discussion on X at
https://x.com/dyerbolicaldb
https://x.com/retromoviesdb
https://x.com/ashyslasheedb
Follow all our pages via our X list at
https://x.com/i/lists/1645435624403468289