Do we need to see a PG-13 Predator in Prey (2022)?
Ever since Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) blasted and booby-trapped his way out of a Central American rainforest in the 1987 horror classic The Predator, we’ve all come to know the human-hunting aliens as both friend and foe.
After losing his entire team to what was believed to be a communist guerilla force bent on systematically hunting down black ops in the area, Dutch fights his way through dense jungle canopy and a massively overpowered foe with technology that we still can only imagine will exist some day. Does anyone remember the invisibility cloak?
The overwhelmingly popular film inspired several sequels before getting the reboot treatment in Alien vs. Predator, in what may be one of my favorite films of the 2000’s.
From the Predator franchise to Prometheus (my favorite Alien film) and beyond, the lore of an alien species bent on ruthlessly hunting ne’er-do-wells, coupled with the possibility of space travel, survival, and sometimes the worst of us (Predators, 2010), hooked me into the flesh-ripping world of chest explosions and hanging torsos.
And at first glance, Prey, set in the Comanche Nation in 1719, looks just as promising.
Outgunned to say the least and obviously confused, we get a glimpse of two Comanche women being stalked by a Predator armed with his signature triangle laser beams. The pair appear desperate to escape, obviously aware–but defiant–of their impending fate, armed only with a bow and arrow in what looks like a tease to an incredible horror movie. But will it be?
So much is unclear
We’ve been given very few details about the plot and protagonist thus far, and unfortunately, the trailer doesn’t give us any new insight into these characters either. With so little left unsaid, we can only speculate. And while the set pieces will no doubt be incredible, we have some concerns about the lack of detail, and more importantly, the Predator’s motivation in this film.
Let’s put aside the fact that there is no reality where these characters would survive such an encounter in any place except a Disney movie (more on that in a second), and talk about why Predators would even hunt them to begin with.
In Alien vs. Predator we’re treated to some really great backstory, a history that made the subsequent films even more enjoyable (for me at least). Long ago, when the polar ice caps were lush jungles populated with ancient humans, the Predators were worshipped as Gods and joined earthlings in their fight against the feral and unrelenting Xenomorphs. We’re led to believe that the Xenomorphs were experiments; at one point controlled and used as weapons by the Predators, but now hunted as game.
Just as humans are hunted during our time because–it is implied–we have developed the technology required to be considered worthy prey (coupled with our ruthless tendencies which make our deaths just), Xenomorphs were sport; it wasn’t personal, it was almost a rite of passage for their species.
Which is what brings me to Prey. In 1719, there are no Xenomorphs, at least that we are aware of, but humans are no longer protected by Predators. With very little in terms of offensive (or defensive) capabilities in this century, the question is: Why?
You could argue that Shane Black’s The Predator established that there are many types of Predators, some friendlier to humans than others, but it isn’t clear why some enjoy game that have the capability to fight back and others just murder human beings for the sake of being scary giants in a $15-a-ticket flick.
Before it was evident that the new Hulu movie Prey was also a Disney+ property I was willing–as many will still be–to look past it; I mean, who doesn’t want to see more Predator (besides my mom)? Despite the fact that the 18th century isn’t my favorite era (I may be the only gamer who didn’t enjoy Assassin’s Creed foray into the Revolutionary War), I have no doubt that 20th Century Fox will deliver some beautiful sets, which is enough for many fans of the franchise.
That’s something the Predator films have always been good at. It’s more than a horror film, it’s a world in its own; and for me, just as captivating and interesting as a blockbuster like Avatar.
But when Hulu announced its Streaming Day deal and lured me into a subscription (several of the films are now available on Hulu, which I’ll be streaming this weekend), I found myself reminiscing about the good times, when it didn’t matter why the Predators wanted to kill us, they just did, at least most of the time.
Fox introduced the idea of a Predator with ulterior motives, capable of alliances with its prey, and now we expect it. With Disney playing a role in the film and that narrative seemingly out the window, are we about to see a PG-13 Predator film? And could we see PG-13 Alien movies next?
Oof. As much as most of us have appreciated the MCU consistently releasing new movies that were enjoyable for the entire family, the last thing most fans want to see is a watered-down alien-hunter coming to terms with his past and kicking off the next Disney+ cartoon series.
Last July producer John Davis told Collider that Prey would be akin to The Revenant (which I’ll have to catch the next time I see it on the TV Guide) and could have a PG-13 rating.
Are you ready for unlikely heroes and Predators with feelings and backstories? Let’s pray that isn’t the case for Prey.
Do we have Prey premiere dates?
After several delays and shifts in direction, we were told a while back that the movie premiere of Prey would come sometime in the summer. However, we now know that the film will drop on August 5th on Hulu and Disney+ and under the Star brand and Star Plus in Latin America.
Are you excited for Dan Trachtenberg’s newest addition to The Predator series?
Update 6/11/2022
We’d like to thank the stars above that nearly all of these questions were answered in the most recent trailer for Prey, which is incredible. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out now!
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