Something has happened this year that I don’t think anyone had on their 2022 bingo card. Top Gun: Maverick, a sequel to the 80s’ classic Top Gun, blew audiences’ and critics’ minds, shattering box-office records and now, today, surpassing Titanic with its domestic box-office numbers. It’s now the seventh-highest grossing film domestically, and it’s considered one of the best action movies of all time (deservedly so.) And many people think it should be nominated for Best Picture.

And now we’ve got Prey, a prequel in a franchise that seemed like it had been saturated to death until it was a bit of a joke. But the prequel had other plans. Instead, with its debut on Hulu this weekend, the film has gone on to garner a better Rotten Tomatoes score than the movie that began this sci-fi franchise. And in a way, it deserves it.

Whereas Predator has that sort of cheesy 80s’ action movie vibe that surely is the reason why it’s 80% on Rotten Tomatoes Prey is an empowering but simple story about survival. Its choice of featuring an Indigenous American as the protagonist provided a different aspect to the story that is never seen in science fiction. So what could’ve been a somewhat mediocre film became one that many are touting as extraordinary.

It’s no surprise the film is receiving immense praise considering that its director, Dan Trachtenberg made 10 Cloverfield Lane, a film that I think is one of the best and most underrated science-fiction movies of all time.

Trachtenberg has an understanding of how to make an engaging sci-fi film with a female protagonist that feels relatable and believable. Amber MidThunder is the type of hero you root for because of her determination, her grit, and her resolve. People are already fan-casting her as Marvel superheroes and I don’t blame them. She’s a perfect fit for the MCU.

For me, Prey is the type of film that comes across as a little boring but so well-made that you can’t find fault with it. There were times when I was really engaged with the story though and it did have me on the edge of my seat.

This year has seen the arrival of shockingly good entries in classic franchises. Does that mean Halloween Ends will be the best film since Halloween? And does that guarantee that Avatar: The Way of Water is destined to be the sequel we’ve been dreaming for?

We’ll see, we’ll see.

I’m giving Prey 90 out of 100 and 4 out of 5 stars.

I thank you for reading and I hope you have a lovely day.