"Prey" is proving to be a hit for critics and fans alike,
but how do indigenous film reviewers feel about this Comanche woman versus space monster flick?
Since its premiere on August 5, Hulu's "Prey" has become a welcome example of big budget filmmaking
with authentic Native American representation. In addition to responding favorably to the
film's story, critics have praised the film's focus on Indigenous culture, with
some even calling it one of the most realistic and honest period pieces in cinematic history.
"Prey" producer Jhane Myers reportedly poured her heart and soul into the "Predator" prequel,
using her knowledge and experience as a member of the Comanche Nation to help construct scenes
and props. Evidently, the cast was every bit as dedicated. In fact, "Prey" made Hollywood history
before it even hit Hulu by being a big-budget franchise film with a majority indigenous cast.
Additionally, many cast members, including lead star Amber Midthunder,
have spent a lot of time talking about the sci-fi thriller's dedication to historical
accuracy. According to Midthunder, delivering an accurate representation of Indigenous peoples
was of the utmost importance to her, and it seems the rest of the crew was similarly invested.
So, how does the Indigenous community feel about the film now that it's out?
In her review of "Prey", film critic and A Tribe Called Geek founder Johnnie Jae
referred to "Prey" as "a groundbreaking achievement" for "the entire Comanche
Nation." Jae, who is from the Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw tribes of Oklahoma, wrote,
"It is so much more than just another Predator movie.
It is a rare tribute to the indigenuity, strength, and sheer stubbornness that has
allowed Native people to survive the forces that threaten our survival."
"I've been practicing. It's time. I'm ready."
Jae pointed out in her review that the film was originally intended to be shot fully in Comanche,
rather than English. But director Dan Trachtenberg decided to go with two different
versions — the main version in English and a fully-dubbed Comanche cut. According to Jae,
it's the first film to be released in both Comanche and English. She wrote in her review,
"I highly recommend ONLY watching the Comanche version of Prey. It is an incredible opportunity
to watch a movie entirely in Comanche, but there's also a lot of humor and essential nuances that get
lost in the English version. Expand your horizons and watch the Comanche version."
The movie's star, Amber Midthunder,
is also apparently a massive fan of the Comanche dubbing. She told The Digital Fix,
"Working with real Comanche language speakers and people who devote their lives to the preservation
of their own language was the opportunity of a lifetime. It's special in so many ways."
Vincent Schilling, founder and editor of Native Viewpoint similarly described "Prey"
as a film that manages to represent Indigenous people "masterfully" while
also holding up as an incredible action film. Indeed, many critics have said that the film
deserves to be ranked among the best of the "Predator" movies. Schilling wrote,
"I was admittedly nervous in one sense because, as a Native American journalist,
I have seen my share of predatory behavior against Native communities in history. But
due to the diligence of [Dan] Trachtenberg and [Jhane] Myers as well as others,
the film doesn't come across as though the Native warriors are just cannon fodder."
Schilling also noted that it was clear that the producers of the film paid
"supreme diligence" to the cultural accuracy of the film. He continued,
"For once, as a Native man, I could actually relax
and enjoy a film without waiting for the culturally inappropriate bomb to drop."
"Why do you want to hunt?"
"Because you all think that I can't."
When it came to the interactions with settlers and non-Native peoples,
Schilling's only complaint — for pretty much the entire movie — was that they seemed like
"overly clumsy fools." But as he wrote, "perhaps that was the point."
If these writers are any indication,
it appears that Indigenous critics are huge fans of "Prey." Schilling wrote in his review,
"The biggest feeling I have overall is that the film was simply fantastic. Shoutout to
all the cast and crew for doing an exceptional job. You made this Mohawk film reviewer proud."