Rethinking the Hunt: a feminist review of Prey (2022)
A Refreshing Setting: Nature as a Feminist Ally
In “Prey” (2022), director Dan Trachtenberg revitalizes the science fiction horror genre with a refreshing return to nature, not just as a backdrop but as a living, breathing character. The film is set in the stunning Great Plains of 1719, evoking both beauty and danger, encapsulating the emotional journey of its female protagonist, Naru, played with fierce subtlety by Amber Midthunder. The cinematography captures sweeping vistas and intimate forest depths, visually framing Naru’s struggle for survival and assertion within her patriarchally structured Indigenous community.
Here, nature serves as both setting and metaphor – a neutral genderless canvas upon which Naru asserts her agency, calibrating her senses against the alien threat and dismissing the patriarchal framework that relegates her to traditional female roles. The film’s visual grace complements its feminist narrative, celebrating the wilderness as a space where traditional gender roles can be contested and redefined.
Challenging Gender Norms: The Heroine’s Journey
“Prey” disrupts the ‘damsel in distress’ trope by placing Naru, not as a secondary character behind masculine hero figures, but as the central force of the narrative. Her arc transforms the classical Predator hunt into a feminist analysis of ambition and resilience. Unlike her male counterparts, who inadvertently fall into machismo traps, Naru illustrates that intellect and resourcefulness are not solely masculine traits but universal human qualities.
Naru’s ambition to become a hunter is met with skepticism by the male figures in her tribe, reflecting a patriarchal disdain for women’s capabilities beyond domestic confines. However, the film uses these interactions not as points of defeat but as hurdles that Naru overcomes with cunning and empathy. Her relationship with the Predator is not one of victim and assailant but of equal adversaries. Naru’s ultimate triumph reaffirms her capability to subvert social expectations, positing her as a multifaceted heroine whose strengths redefine what it means to be powerful.
Communication and Emotional Agency
The dialogue between characters in “Prey” further reflects upon gendered communication dynamics, as Naru’s interactions within her tribe illustrate a landscape of subtle resistance against male mediation. Her brother, Taabe, embodies the supportive yet often patronizing male sibling archetype, serving as a gatekeeper to the male-dominated hunting sphere. While initially dismissive of Naru’s aspirations, Taabe’s eventual recognition of her skills underscores a narrative that challenges patriarchal barriers.
Importantly, the film prioritizes the Bechdel Test, featuring conversations between Naru and her female peers that are substantive and plot-progressing. These dialogues are not merely decorative background sounds but crucial exchanges that build Naru’s emotional and strategic repertoire. “Prey” gift-wraps its narrative in layers of emotional depth, celebrating communication as a tool of resistance and highlighting how empathy and intelligence triumph over brute force.
Age-Old Themes with Fresh Feminist Interpretation
“Prey” embraces traditional themes such as family, ambition, and survival but reinterprets them through a modern feminist lens. The representation of family in Naru’s journey is compellingly nuanced – her motivations are not solely driven by a need to prove herself within the clan but are intertwined with a desire to protect her community, a reflection of her deep emotional ties and leadership potential.
This film deftly balances individual ambition with collective responsibility, highlighting that real strength often lies in the intersection of the two. Naru’s character is painted with complexity, her resolve unwavering even in the face of social expectations that seek to stifle it. “Prey” thus transcends conventional horror narratives, using its platform to celebrate ambition not as a flaw for women but as a powerful narrative tool worthy of exploration.
A Cinematic and Ideological Triumph
It would be remiss not to acknowledge “Prey”‘s technical mastery – from its immersive sound design capturing the eerie silence of the Great Plains pierced by the menacing sounds of the alien predator, to its tightly controlled pacing that ratchets tension with each scene. But beyond its cinematic merits, the film is an ideological triumph, underscoring how traditional gender roles can be both a personal and collective battleground.
“Prey” is not just a feminist film but a compelling piece of cinema that celebrates resilience and ingenuity across its breathtaking narrative and visual flights. It is a reminder of how mainstream narratives can be recrafted to include powerful, relevant feminist perspectives while still engaging audiences through their storytelling magic. In “Prey,” the hunt is reimagined – not merely as a battle against an external foe but as an internal journey of self-discovery and defiance against societal limitations. It stands as a beacon of innovative storytelling, where art meets advocacy, ensuring that Naru’s triumph resonates not only on screen but within the broader cultural narrative.
