Most critics like Prey, and many call it the best Predator film since the original. The praise clusters around Amber Midthunder’s lead performance as Naru, the Comanche hunter, which several reviews describe as star-making, and around the decision to strip the franchise back to one hunt in one place. The 1719 setting and the care taken over Comanche life are credited with making the action feel new, and the suspense is said to work because the heroine relies on wit and knowledge of the land rather than firepower.
The reservations are small: dialogue that sounds too modern, and some patchy CGI. The spread is narrow. Little White Lies finds it lean but shallow, with little to think about afterwards. Slant Magazine goes further, calling the action anonymous and the Predator dull, and The New York Times sees an unremarkable adventure with a thin plot of pop-up threats. No review is negative outright.
E
Empire
3 August 2022 · James Dyer
90*
The critic hails Prey as effortlessly the best Predator movie since the original, breathing new life into the series with a ferocious heroine and inventive action beats. It singles out Amber Midthunder's elemental performance and the authentic period setting.
The review praises Prey for narrowing its focus on character and location to stand equal to the original film. It singles out the compelling lead performance by Amber Midthunder and the grounding in Comanche culture before the action escalates.
The critic hails the return of genuine dramatic jeopardy in this audacious action film featuring a resourceful Comanche teenage girl facing real danger. They single out the authentic period details of indigenous life, the propulsive and inventive blood-soaked action, and the epic western scale reminiscent of classic films.
The critic calls it a worthy successor to the original Predator that delivers scary fun, monster mayhem, and a tender emotional response centered on the Comanche protagonist. Naru’s resourceful fight against the alien and other threats stands out as a highlight.
The critic praises Prey as a brutal, pulse-quickening story that succeeds by ditching nostalgia for the original Predator films. It singles out the emotionally rich narrative centered on an indigenous Comanche woman and Amber Midthunder's star-making performance.
The critic calls Prey the best post-Arnie Predator movie, praising its feral, stylish showcase and lateral approach to the franchise. It singles out Amber Midthunder's quick-witted lead performance and the film's fun, survivalist reinvention of the core concept.
The critic calls Prey a stunning and smart coming-of-age story with something for everyone, anchored by Amber Midthunder's breakout performance as a resourceful Comanche hunter. It singles out the visually impressive action and the film's respectful handling of its historical setting.
By far the best entry in the franchise since the original, thanks to its pared-down narrative and fresh historical setting. It succeeds as an edge-of-your-seat thriller with strong action and an appealing lead performance, despite some ropey dialogue.
The critic praises the film as the franchise's best move in years, highlighting Amber Midthunder's terrific performance as a Comanche woman taking on the Predator in a bloody, intense prequel. They single out the wordless action sequences and the way it plays with the food chain and underestimation of the heroine.
The best Predator movie yet thanks to its simple, back-to-basics approach focused on ingenuity against an alien hunter. It delivers surprising tension and scares, anchored by a strong lead performance from Amber Midthunder.
The critic finds the prequel a fresh, nimble take on the bloated Predator franchise by setting it in 1719 among the Comanche Nation with a young woman warrior as protagonist. They single out the inventive use of the limited-resources setting and the seamless integration of Native American history and representation.
The critic describes Prey as a blood-soaked, totally entertaining thriller that grounds its action in authentic Comanche history and culture. It singles out the grounded indigenous portrayal and inventive action sequences while noting some dodgy CGI as a flaw.
A solidly entertaining addition to the Predator franchise with gripping suspense sequences and gruesome kills that contrast rugged natural beauty against alien savagery. Amber Midthunder brings welcome grit to this sometimes cheesy but simple and comforting affair.
The review finds that despite its unusual setting and heroine, Prey is one of the stronger entries in the Predator series. It singles out the authentic casting and performances, particularly Amber Midthunder as the resourceful Naru, along with the fresh change in milieu.
The review calls the film just fine but notes its concept is liberating for stripping away franchise lore. It singles out the return to a lean story of humans facing an alien enemy in an earlier historical setting.
A lean monster-slasher B-movie that stands out as a highlight of the patchy Predator franchise. It offers visual gusto and tight pacing but remains shallow with little psychological depth or lasting substance.
The review finds Prey cowed by the original and starved for kineticism and verisimilitude. It singles out the dull treatment of the Predator and the half-baked symbolism and anonymous action sequences.
The critic finds the film an unremarkable adventure that fails to refresh the exhausted Predator franchise despite its novel Comanche setting. Gorgeous landscapes and the lead performance are noted but undermined by a thin plot of pop-up threats.
The critic calls it a tense, engaging action-thriller that expands the franchise by going back to basics with a character-driven coming-of-age story for its heroine. They single out Amber Midthunder's lead performance and the film's emphasis on brains, knowledge of the land, and emotional anchors over brute force or explosions.
The review praises Prey as a strong reboot of the Predator franchise, crediting director Dan Trachtenberg for its sharp storytelling and emotional depth in an 18th-century setting. It singles out Amber Midthunder's performance as a standout, along with the film's focus on indigenous experiences and coherent narrative.
The critic hails Prey as a must-see triumph that revitalizes the Predator franchise by stripping it back to basics, praising the fresh setting, authentic Comanche culture, and thrilling set pieces. They single out Amber Midthunder's star-making performance for praise.
The critic hails it as the best Predator since the original for embracing simplicity and elemental hunt dynamics while adding strong Indigenous representation and cultural authenticity. They single out the environmental freshness, period details, Comanche authenticity, and the lead's determination and action sequences.
The review calls Prey a revitalizing entry that returns the franchise to its basics with suspense and excitement in a new historical framework. It highlights the film's success as a monster movie and revisionist Western that stands alone while honoring the original concept.
The critic praises Prey as a gripping return to the franchise's roots with a solid, suspenseful thriller set in nature, highlighting the authentic period setting and strong action. They single out the landscape and director's pacing for praise, while noting the modern dialogue as a minor complaint.
The critic finds the film a successful blend of revisionist Western and monster movie that comes close to recapturing the energy of the original Predator while shaking things up. They single out the clever new approaches to old material and the genre mash-ups for praise.
Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate
