Prey, the most recent Predator movie and one that has significant connections to the franchise despite taking place three hundred years ago, received its formal release on August 5 this week. The film has also created history for the series in yet another significant way as it boasts the best reviews of any Predator picture to date. Prey, which currently has a 92% rating and the “Certified Fresh” label on Rotten Tomatoes, is by far the Predator series’ biggest box office hit, even outperforming the original movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger by a significant margin. As Hulu counts good ratings and streams, let’s take a look at what critics have to say about the movie.
Prey Is Packed With Intense And Scary Action Scenes
“You may think you don’t need another Predator movie in your life, but you need this one — it is awesome,” says Christy Lemire from FilmWeek, while MovieFreak.com’s Sara Michelle Fetters calls it “one of 2022’s most entertaining motion pictures.” The film is highly lauded for its action sequences, which are “propulsive, blood-soaked but inventive”, as worded by Kevin Maher from Times (UK). At the same time, The Hollywood Reporter observes that they’re “staged with maximum skillfulness.” Dan Trachtenberg, the director of the movie, is also praised by Tara Brady from Irish Times for delivering “the year’s best action film.”
Of course, comparisons are being made to the previous films from the franchise that has already given enough. Many fans were concerned that Prey, technically a production and release of The Walt Disney Company, would be diluted and lack the franchise’s signature violence. However, the director previously admitted that this was never really a concern for the project.
The Prequel Performs Better Than The Previous Predator Movies
“Prey takes its cues from 1987’s Predator in terms of simplicity and bloody action-horror. Its cultural specificity and period setting lend a sweeping period epic feel and introduce emotional stakes through its memorable characters”, observes Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting. David Fear from Rolling Stone dubs the film as a series highlight that “manages to capture the spirit of that Schwarzenegger original.” AV Club’s Richard Newby claims that “the long-running Predator franchise finally has an entry that can stand as an equal to the original film.”
“How can even the most skilled Comanche warriors battle a massive alien being with a full arsenal of advanced technology? Now that’s how you orient a prequel,” writes Kate Erbland from IndieWire. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman thinks the movie is “competent and well-paced” and better than its predecessors as “the journey of Naru lends it a semblance of emotional coherence that most of the Predator films have lacked.”
Prey Has Received Almost No Negative Reviews
William Bibbiani from TheWrap points out that Prey “sticks to what makes the central creature fascinating.” Alongside being described as “the best Predator movie since the original”, Prey also gets a lot of applause for its “thrilling new lead in Amber Midthunder” and her kick-ass skills, according to Empire Magazine. Giving it a 4/5 rating, Independent (UK) points out that the film “succeeds by ditching the nostalgia.” On the other hand, TV Guide’s Jordan Hoffman comments on Hulu’s August performance, deeming Prey as “a quality base hit” for the streaming platform.
You can catch Prey streaming exclusively on Hulu.
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