In the movie Prey by Dan Trachtenburg, we see that the director uses hunting as a metaphor to represent power dynamics, survival, and resistance. Naru, the protagonist, is a young woman challenging the traditional roles by proving that she is more than just a gatherer but also an aspiring hunter showing us that hunting is not only a metaphor for power but also about determination, resilience and intelligence. At sunrise while all the gathers start the day, Naru finally decided to take destiny in her own hands. (29:40) This clip captures Naru walking against the current of the group with the camera following behind her at a medium eye-level shot, flipping to an extreme bird’s POV showing Naru weaving out to her new adventure.
The three groups of hunters, Predator (alien), Fur Trappers, and the Comanche Warriors all demonstrate a different version of “hardbody” masculinity. The Comanche Warriors embodied a more traditional warrior masculinity heroic type with respect towards their environment. On the other hand the Predator and the Fur Trappers both embody a parallel toxic masculinity, hunting only for pleasure or conquest. While using technology that the Comanche Warriors were not familiar with leaving them at a disadvantage. A great example of how the Predator saw hunting as a game was the moment Naru’s left foot got caught by the trap (55:00). The scene starts with a medium close up of her ankle which slowly pans over to show Naru’s face of agony and terror thinking that’s the end of the line for her. While maintaining the medium close up angle zooms over to the Predator, who is incognito, playing with the chains of the trap seemingly uninterested and within seconds leaves.
Naru’s character challenged traditional action hero archetypes by showing us it takes more than just a “hardbody” to defeat the villain. The film does step real close to familiar Western stereotypes for example a damsel in distress but then proving the audience wrong by showing how resilient and intelligent our protagonist is. Like during the scene when Naru and Taabe, her brother, were tied together around a tree in the middle of a gun fight, once again feeling defeated. (1:06:10) Starting with a low angle medium zoom in towards their tied hands. Naru multitasks, dragging the nearby trap closer to their wrists and also finding a rock to activate the trap while also telling a story of a beaver that was once trapped and chewed his own leg for freedom. Before the chomp of the trap the camera switches from Taabe and Naru on an eye-level close up, you can see the distress in Taabe’s face thinking Naru was going to sacrifice her hand in order to free them, little did he know, she had a plan all along.
This movie took a monumental step towards changing the game in the film industry by empowering Naru, an Indigenous character, showing her stepping into new skin, proving and earning respect from her community.
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