Prey (Exclusive Series) (Hulu Original)

Initial release date: August 5, 2022

Studios: Hulu/20th Century Studios/Davis Entertainment

Plot: A skilled Comanche warrior protects her tribe from a highly evolved alien predator that hunts humans for sport, fighting against wilderness, dangerous colonizers and this mysterious creature to keep her people safe.

Cast

Amber Midthunder - Naru

Dane DiLiegro - The Predator

Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat - Itsee

Dakota Beavers - Taabe

Stefany Mathias - Sumu

Stormee Kipp - Wasape

Mike Paterson - Big Beard

Julian Black Antelope - Chief Kehetu

Troy Mundle - Spyglass

Writer: Patrick Aison

Director: Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane)

Rated R for strong bloody violence (99 minutes)

The 'Predator' series is one of those sci-fi franchises that certainly has had its ups and downs over the years. There were a couple good entries (1987s Predator and 2010s Predators) and the rest were kinda OK (Predator 2; the Alien v. Predator movies), along with the terrible 2018 movie. In fact, I will be taking another glance of those movies down the road (except for the 2018 movie). So, now, let's get into Hulu's 'Prey.'

'Prey' is definitely one of the best entries of the entire series. This new movie is really a breath of fresh air with its new setting and unique plot.

The action between the Predator and the Native Americans is really awesome and extremely tense. The third act is really incredible, and after watching this, I can't wait for more 'Predator' movies. The updated look of the Predator itself is awesome as well!

The ONLY negative aspect I can think of with this 'Predator' prequel is that there was an over-abundance of CGI. There is a sequence where the Predator battles a bear that is cool to watch, but the CGI kinda takes you out of it. And some of the CG gore was too much as well.

Otherwise, it's a great installment of the series. It's a whole lot better than the 2018 movie. And, hopefully, they keep this momentum going with future installments down the road.

'Prey' is available to stream on the Hulu streaming platform.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Prey':

• This would be the fifth entry in the series (not counting the Alien v Predator movies) and will reportedly not have any connection to the 2018 movie 'The Predator,' the previous movie that was co-written and directed by original 'Predator' cast member Shane Black.

• The first 'Predator' film to be released as a streaming exclusive.

• This movie is slated to be released in the Comanche language. There is also an English version, and a version with Comanche subtitles.

• The film began development during the production of the prior 2018 installment, when producer John Davis was approached by Dan Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison, with a concept they had been conceptualizing since 2016. Former 20th Century Studios Production president Emma Watts fast tracked the development prior to her resignation in January 2020.

• In December 2019, the film was initially under wraps, going by the name of 'Skulls.' The film reportedly was to "follow a Comanche woman who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior."

• In November 2020, 'Skulls' was revealed to be a code name for a fifth installment in the franchise. It wasn't expected to correlate to the events of the prior installment. Upon the announcement, Trachtenberg indicated that the original intention was to market the film with no reference to the Predators, something no longer possible with the confirmation of the film's place in the franchise.

• On November 12, 2021, Disney Plus Day, the film was given the title 'Prey', and announced for a mid-2022 release on Hulu.

• Trachetenberg, on the same day the full trailer was released, said they struggled for awhile with " 'The Hunt for Red October' thing," where the crew on a Russian submarine was introduced speaking Russian before changing to speaking English for the benefit of the audience - they considered doing something similar at first, starting with the cast speaking the Comanche language, but then switching to English, but ultimately felt it didn't really work.

• Instead, Trachtenberg explained the film was shot in English and Comanche, with the entire cast performing an alternate all-Comanche dub of the film. Both language versions will be available on Hulu.

• 'Prey' premiered at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 21, 2022, and is scheduled to be released by 20th Century Studios as a Hulu original film on August 5, 2022.

• In June 2022, Trachtenberg stated that there are discussions for additional installments being developed after the release of 'Prey.' The filmmaker stated that moving forward, the intent is to do things that haven't been done before in the franchise.