Prey

In the lush forests of the Northern Great Plains, September 1719 represents a crucial period for the Comanche tribe. Naru, portrayed by David Kross, is a young, determined hunter eager to prove her mettle as a valuable member of her hunting party. Alongside her devoted companion Sarii, she embarks on a challenging journey to sharpen her skills. During her exploration of the dense underbrush, her instincts alert her to peril, specifically when she finds her beloved dog ensnared in a bear trap. Using her quick wits and agility, Naru heroically frees Sarii, only to look skyward and mistake a looming ship for the revered thunderbird.

As the tribe readies for their revered kühtaamia—or big hunt—Naru’s enthusiasm faces skepticism from her mother, Aruka (played by Michelle Thrush), who dismisses Naru’s dreams of joining the hunt with her brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers). Undeterred, Naru decides to join the hunting party, garnering disapproval from many, save for Taabe, who acknowledges her skills and willingness to assist fellow hunter Puhi. As they track down the injured Puhi, Naru’s awareness highlights a deeper threat they face, leading her to suspect that this lion they are pursuing is just the beginning of their troubles.

The hunting party’s mission takes a dark twist when Paaka becomes the lion’s latest victim. Naru, alongside another hunter perched in a tree, sets a trap, but soon finds the lion attacking. Just when all seems lost, the earth-shattering roar of the Predator fills the air, casting a strange, bright light that momentarily disorients her. Naru loses consciousness after striking her head against a rock, though not before managing to wound the lion with her spear.

Upon regaining awareness, Naru discovers herself back in her village, being cared for by Taabe, who returns triumphant from his own successful hunt—bringing the head of the slain mountain lion. As celebratory festivities begin, Taabe is honored as the new War Chief, having completed his kühtaamia.

The following day, Naru sets off solo to pursue the elusive Predator, crafting a clever plan to wield her hatchet while moving alongside Sarii. Their journey takes them through a grim landscape littered with skinned bison carcasses, a haunting reminder of death amidst the vibrant prairie. Meanwhile, the Predator effortlessly dispatches a wolf that charges at it, showcasing its unmatched reflexes as it claims the wolf’s skull and spine, setting them ablaze as a morbid trophy.

As Naru continues her quest, she inadvertently stumbles into a pit of mud, struggling to escape. Thinking quickly, she ties her hatchet to a makeshift rope, using it to pull herself free. Reuniting with Sarii, she later encounters a rampaging bear. In a clever moment of stealth, she hides while the Predator arrives, engaging the bear in a fierce battle - ultimately slaying it and drenching itself in the bear’s blood as a chilling display of power.

Naru’s path eventually intersects with members of her tribe, dispatched by Taabe to find her. However, an unexpected engagement with Wasape (Stormee Kipp), a tenacious warrior, soon follows. While Naru gains the upper hand, chaos erupts as the Predator attacks, utilizing its precision tools to wreak havoc on the tribe.

In a fierce contest for survival, Naru finds herself captured by French fur trappers, who inquire about the mysterious predator. The trappers’ sinister plans come to light as they draw connections to the slaughtered bison and engage in brutal torture designed to draw out the Predator. As Naru and Taabe become unwilling bait, the Predator arrives, swiftly eliminating the trappers—leaving only Naru and Taabe to fend for themselves.

Displaying remarkable resilience, Naru constructs a strategy on how to engage with the Predator. Observing its behavior, she discovers that the creature does not view her as a threat, allowing her to devise a plan for survival. As she breaks free and begins to take vengeance against the trappers, she shows her empathetic side by treating Raphael’s (Bennett Taylor) grievous injuries, tending to his wounds with herbs designed to lower body temperature.

When the Predator returns, Naru cleverly uses the herbs to mask her presence, ultimately leading to the brutal demise of Raphael. Just when hope seems lost, Taabe rides back in an attempt to rescue Naru, but tragedy strikes as the Predator impales him.

Left devastated by her brother’s fall, Naru realizes she must act decisively, capturing the trapper leader to lure the Predator into a trap set for revenge. Using Raphael’s gun, she successfully impairs the Predator and cunningly ensnares it in a mud pit, where it meets its end through its own weapons.

In a victorious return to her village, Naru presents the severed head of the Predator alongside Sarii, serving as a grim testament to the dangers they faced. The tribe celebrates her courage, while Naru warns them about the white men and the other adversities that loom ahead, prompting a decision to find a new homeland, away from these threats.

As the film concludes, an evocative sequence of ancient cave paintings serves as a haunting reminder of their journey. These primitive images poignantly illustrate the essence of the primal conflict, ultimately hinting at the impending arrival of additional Predator vessels, casting a menacing shadow over Naru’s unsuspecting village as the credits roll.

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:36