The reviews for Prey are in and the critics are loving Dan Trachtenberg's take on the Predator franchise.
While fans of the franchise will undoubtedly recognize the terrifying hunter, Prey opts to take a different approach by focusing on a group of Comanche warriors as they attempt to survive when pitted against their new foe. CBR's Brandon Zachary writes that the latest installment in the Predator franchise is "easily the best-directed film" in the series, further complimenting its streamlined story that allows the characters to breathe and grow. "The sheer level of artistry that went into this film and into all aspects of the production can't be understated," Zachary writes. "Prey is one of the best horror films of the year and definitely one of the most exciting entrants of (an admittedly very crowded) summer."
These sentiments were shared by Collider's Carly Lane, who notes that Prey works as well as it does by "taking the Predator franchise back to basics." They also state that the film's only downside is that it's only available to watch on Hulu, writing that the cinematography and action almost demand a big screen viewing. IndieWire's Kate Erbland says that Prey successful takes the "once-stalled" Predator franchise and equips it with thrills, surprises and "plenty of blood spatter."
Set in 1719, Prey follows Naru (Amber Midthunder) who is tossed into a game of survival with an alien being sporting all kinds of futuristic technology. Together with her brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers), the young Comanche hunter must overcome the odds to save her tribe from this other-worldly threat that seems to be murdering them for sport.
While Prey sports an original cast of characters, audiences will likely be familiar with the Predator despite some unique changes to the creature's aesthetic. "I really wanted to make this version of the Predator so much more feral and ferocious and animalistic, from its movements to its silhouette and its design," said Trachtenberg. The director goes on to explain that while the antagonist, played by Dane DiLiegro, does feature practical effects, the creative team didn't want to be stifled by the costume. "The thing that I really wanted to do was, on the one hand, embrace the suit because I love the design of the creature and that it is a practical suit, but also, really try to make sure we weren't limited by the limitations of a physically-built suit with a man inside operating it."
Prey premieres on Hulu on Aug. 5.