The streaming service Disney Plus offers family-friendly entertainment – but not only that! And so the latest part of the bloody “Predator” series celebrated its premiere there in 2022. Today “Prey” is finally coming to free TV.
“If it bleeds, we can kill it.” Arnold Schwarzenegger once had this clever insight in the 1987 sci-fi classic “Predator” – and it still applies today to the alien Predators, who are among the most cult and iconic monsters in film history. However, the highly efficient hunters first let others bleed until a capable opponent is found who can finish off the clacking killer…
Im „Predator“-Prequel „Prey“ is the Comanche warrior Naru (Amber Middle Dogs) – and you can watch it today, August 4, 2024 at 8:15 p.m. on ProSieben. The free TV premiere of the FSK 16 action film at prime time is unfortunately edited for a rating of 12 and over. But at a late hour at 12:55 a.m. there will be a late-night repeat with the FSK 16. Or you can stream the film directly on Disney+, where it is of course available with the original age rating.
“Prey”: The Predator goes hunting in a completely new setting this time
In “Prey,” director Dan Trachtenberg (“10 Cloverfield Lane”) takes us far back in time and shows: As early as the 18th century, the Earth received unpleasant visits from space. When a murderous creature roams around a Comanche camp, the residents initially believe it is a bear or mountain lion – and send out their most capable men to hunt the animal. Young Naru also wants to prove herself on the hunt and become a warrior, but as a woman, no one believes she can do that.
But very soon Naru can prove what she is capable of. Because the threat turns out to be a Predator, who landed on the American continent to compete with the warriors there and cement his status as the ultimate apex predator. Naru not only uses her excellent hunting and fighting skills to face the alien, but also her brains. Her fellow fighters, however, lose heads, because the Predator, as always, likes to rip them off, including their spines.
Brutal close combat, imaginative kills
At this point it becomes clear: Even though “Prey” was released on Disney+, things are still brutal, as is typical for Predator. Brutal hand-to-hand combat, imaginative kills and lots of splattering red and green blood will appeal to all fans of gore-rich horror action. The young female lead character, brilliantly played by Amber Midthunder, perhaps makes the franchise accessible to a different target group than before. In addition, with the FSK-12 version at 8.15 p.m., no one really has to worry that it might be too brutal. Of course, real action aficionados should definitely watch the FSK-16 original.
The approach of having a science fiction actioner meet a historical adventure with “Prey”, which is set in the early 18th century, is definitely very successful and adds a little variety to the “Predator” franchise. This is necessary for the fifth film in the series – and it worked so well that “Prey” will now, not surprisingly, be followed by the prequel “Prey 2”.
In the official FILMSTARTS review of “Prey” by editor-in-chief Christoph Petersen, there are a good 3.5 out of 5 stars and the conclusion: “an always entertaining sci-fi actioner”.
After “Prey” comes “Badlands”
By the way, Dan Trachtenberg is already working on the next “Predator” film – and by that we don’t mean “Prey 2”, for which no director has been confirmed yet. Trachtenberg will direct the “Predator” spin-off “Badlands”, which this time is not set in the past, but in the future. Elle Fanning is being considered for the lead role – you can find out more about the project here:
One of the most legendary sci-fi monsters returns to the cinema – and has already found its human victim
*This link to Disney+ is an affiliate link. By subscribing via this link you support FILMSTARTS. This has no effect on the price.
