Prey

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Comanche warrior vs. alien Predator in 1719—smart, brutal, and surprisingly good, but definitely not for the squeamish.

7.1/10

94%

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Prey

movie

R, 2022

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Comanche warrior vs. alien Predator in 1719—smart, brutal, and surprisingly good, but definitely not for the squeamish.

7.1

94%

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7.1/10

94%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Prey is actually a really good movie. It's smart, well-crafted, and brings genuine cultural representation to a franchise that's mostly been about muscled dudes shooting aliens. The critics weren't wrong to love it.

But it's also genuinely violent and gory in ways that matter for family viewing. This isn't Marvel-style bloodless action—there are graphic kills, dismemberments, and horror elements throughout. The Predator franchise has always been R-rated, and this entry doesn't pull punches.

For mature teens (16+) who can handle horror and want to see a badass female protagonist outsmart an alien hunter in 1719, this is excellent. For anyone younger or squeamish about gore? Hard pass. The WISE score reflects that it's quality filmmaking with meaningful themes, but the intense violence limits who should watch it.

Age Fit

This is squarely for older teens (16+) and adults who can handle intense horror-action violence. The gore and sustained brutality make it inappropriate for younger viewers, despite the strong protagonist and cultural themes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Strong female protagonist who demonstrates courage, determination, and loyalty to her tribe. Models perseverance and self-belief in the face of dismissal. However, the film is fundamentally about hunting and survival violence, with significant gore and brutal kills throughout. The emotional core is healthy—Naru's journey to prove herself—but the constant violence and predatory threat create a tense, often disturbing atmosphere that doesn't model cooperation or kindness.

Imaginative

Creative reimagining of the Predator franchise set in 1719 Comanche Nation territory. The premise of pitting early 18th-century indigenous warriors against advanced alien tech is genuinely inventive. Visually striking with natural landscapes and period-accurate details. The film invites viewers to think about different forms of intelligence, hunting strategies, and cultural perspectives on bravery. However, it's not particularly interactive or creativity-inspiring beyond appreciation of the concept.

Safe

This is a horror-action film with significant violence, gore, and disturbing imagery. Multiple graphic deaths including dismemberment, decapitation, and bloody kills by both the Predator and human characters. Animal violence shown on screen. While there's no sexual content or nudity, the sustained intensity and graphic nature of the violence make this inappropriate for younger viewers. Common Sense Media rates it 16+. The violence is expected given the franchise and genre, but it's still intense and frequent enough to warrant a low safety score.

Enriching

Offers meaningful representation of Comanche culture, language (available dubbed in Comanche), and perspective—rare in mainstream action films. Explores themes of proving oneself, gender roles, and different definitions of strength. Naru's character arc shows growth through observation, adaptation, and strategic thinking rather than just brute force. The film has genuine craft and intelligence in its storytelling. However, the enrichment is somewhat limited by the genre constraints—it's ultimately about survival violence, not deep philosophical exploration.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely excellent representation of Comanche culture with dialogue available in Comanche language—rare and respectful
Strong female protagonist who uses strategy and observation rather than just overpowering enemies
Smart reimagining of a tired franchise that actually works—critics loved it (94% on RT)
Gorgeous cinematography and practical effects create visceral tension
Explores themes of proving yourself when others doubt you, which resonates for teens

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence throughout—dismemberment, decapitation, lots of blood and gore
Animal violence shown on screen (snake, bear, wolf kills)
Sustained horror-action intensity that younger teens will find disturbing
Some viewers found the gap between critic scores (94%) and audience scores (74%) notable—it's well-made but violent

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how Naru had to prove herself to the men in her tribe? Have you ever felt like people underestimated you?"
"The movie shows different hunting strategies—brute force vs. observation and planning. Which approach do you think is smarter?"
"How did the film portray Comanche culture? What did you learn about their way of life?"
"If you had to survive against something way more powerful than you, what would your strategy be?"

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Prey – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise