Prey (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Prey is set on the Great Plains, the vast rolling grasslands and prairies inhabited by the Comanche Nation. This environment was rich in natural resources and wildlife, making it a prime hunting ground for Indigenous peoples who relied on the land for sustenance and cultural practices.

• great plains
• comanche nation
• setting
• location

Prey is set in 1719, approximately 300 years before European contact with the Comanche Nation. This period saw Indigenous cultures thriving and adapting to their environments while beginning to encounter early European pressures through trade and cultural shifts.

• 1719
• time period
• historical setting
• pre-contact

The main themes in Prey are Survival, Cultural Heritage, and Conflict. Survival focuses on Naru's transformation from healer to skilled hunter amid life-or-death stakes. Cultural Heritage explores Naru's connection to her Comanche roots and the folklore surrounding the Predator. Conflict highlights the struggles between hunters, the clash with the Predator, and encounters with French voyageurs.

• themes
• survival
• cultural heritage
• conflict
• meaning

Naru is a determined and skilled young Comanche woman who begins as a healer but seeks to prove herself as a hunter. Motivated by a desire to protect her tribe, she faces challenges with bravery and intelligence, ultimately emerging as a formidable leader. Her journey embodies resilience and the fight to defend her cultural identity.

• naru
• main character
• comanche warrior
• protagonist

Taabe is Naru's older brother and a celebrated hunter within the Comanche tribe, symbolizing traditional masculine roles in their culture. He is protective of Naru and displays strong leadership qualities, though his journey is marked by tragedy as the story progresses.

• taabe
• naru's brother
• hunter
• comanche character

Mupitsi is the Comanche name for the Predator, drawn from their folklore and cultural beliefs. The film explores how traditional practices and beliefs shape the characters' understanding of the alien hunter, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity in interpreting unfamiliar threats.

• mupitsi
• predator
• comanche folklore
• alien hunter

Prey portrays Comanche culture through detailed representation of traditional practices, hunting techniques, and folklore. The film emphasizes the tribe's connection to the land, the importance of heritage and identity, and how traditional knowledge shapes their understanding of the world, including the mysterious Predator.

• comanche culture
• indigenous representation
• traditions
• cultural identity

The Predator represents an overwhelming external threat that challenges the Comanche people's survival and cultural beliefs. Beyond being a physical antagonist, it symbolizes the unknown dangers facing Indigenous cultures during a transformative period in history.

• predator
• alien
• antagonist
• threat
• symbolism

The Great Plains in Prey are depicted as vast open spaces with rolling grasslands and prairies, serving as both a beautiful and dangerous backdrop. This environment was essential to Indigenous tribes for hunting and sustaining their communities, making it a character unto itself in the story.

• great plains
• prairie
• grasslands
• nature
• environment

Sarii is Naru's loyal dog and companion, representing the deep bond between humans and animals in Indigenous cultures. His presence provides warmth and loyalty to Naru's journey, supporting her through dangerous encounters and symbolizing the invaluable role of animals in Comanche life.

• sarii
• naru's dog
• companion
• animal bond