(Assignment 1, part 1)
What is the point of hunting? This is a question without a single answer. Some see it as a means of survival, others as a hobby, and others as simple, cruel killing. Yet, all views share one idea: hunting is about domination. This theme lies at the heart of the 2022 film Prey.
The film presents three approaches to hunting through the example of three sides of the conflict: The Predator, the Comanche tribe, and fur trappers. The Predator comes to Earth not for resources, but for the glory of the hunt — to find an opponent worthy of his collection. This is well illustrated in the scene from 31:10 to 31:20.The Predator sees two living creatures: a rabbit and a wolf (Trachtenberg, 2022). He studies both, and then during the chase in the segment from 31:25 to 31:29, we see that the Predator has focused on the wolf as the more dangerous and, as a result, worthier opponent (Trachtenberg, 2022). Moreover, the Predator does not kill the wolf immediately, but pushes it away from the rabbit, as if challenging it to a duel (Trachtenberg, 2022).
Throughout the film, the Predator uses advanced technology, showing both physical and intellectual superiority over humans and animals. This aligns him with the fur trappers, who also use advanced tools — guns and traps — to assert their superiority over the Comanche. Both the Predator and the trappers see themselves as “better” than the beings they hunt. However, unlike the trappers, the Predator hunts with purpose and restraint. He kills for challenge or self-defence, while the trappers kill for profit and amusement.
Despite hunting out of necessity, the Comanche tribe still demonstrate their superiority over wildlife. One example is kuhtaamia, a ritual, where the participant’s goal is to defeat a strong beast to prove their ability to hunt, demonstrating their superiority over nature.
In a film with such conflict, the choice of the main character is very interesting. Naru is a woman — she is other hunters and far less powerful than the Predator, yet she becomes the ultimate victor. And although she is not like a typical “tough action hero,” there are many parallels between her journey and that of Dutch, hero of the original Predator (1987). Dutch, like Naru, shows his fear; they do not try to appear “tough” in the face of danger. In Naru’s case, this is evident in the scene from 43:42 to 45:10 (Trachtenberg, 2022). Through multiple shots from Naru’s POV to close-ups of her face, we see the danger of the situation she ends up in and her fear of the bear, and then the Predator (Trachtenberg, 2022). But at the same time, Naru, like Dutch, understands her capabilities and, unlike other Comanche hunters and her brother Taabe, does not give up, and using her intelligence and surroundings, defeats a threat much stronger than her. This culminates in the scene from 1:22:50 to 1:23:02, where focus shifts from the Predator over the body of a trapper leader to Naru standing behind him with a trapper’s pistol — a visual metaphor for her triumph through intellect, courage and adaptation (Trachtenberg, 2022).
However, while Naru is an effective action heroine, her portrayal as an Indigenous character feels a bit underdeveloped. In avoiding Western stereotypes, the director downplays her cultural identity, making the whole setting feel insignificant. The film could arguably take place anywhere without losing much impact.
Ultimately, Prey uses hunting to explore power and hierarchy between species, cultures, and genders. What is the point of hunting? It’s about who ends up being the prey.
Resources:
Trachtenberg, D. (Director). (2022). Prey. 20th Century Studios.
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