Prey, the latest entry in the Predator franchise, is rich with references and Easter eggs that hark back to the earlier films, particularly the original duo. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, this prequel features Amber Midthunder as Naru, a Comanche warrior. Set 300 years prior to the iconic 1987 film, Predator, it not only introduces a strong female lead but also pays homage to the franchise’s key tropes—like the creature’s weapons, behaviors, and tactical approaches. Despite the extensive temporal gap, Prey cleverly embeds numerous callbacks that resonate with fans of the series.
Even though the narrative unfolds centuries earlier than its predecessors, Prey effectively integrates several references to both Predator and the 1990 sequel, Predator 2. The latter introduced an array of new weaponry and essential lore, including a distinctive pistol that weaves throughout the franchise’s narrative tapestry. Prey embraces familiar elements while establishing its own unique story, seamlessly blending the old with the new, offering viewers a treasure trove of Easter eggs related to the Predator lore.
Predator 2’s Flintlock Pistol
An Iconic Prop Continues Its Franchise Journey
A standout Easter egg in Prey is the flintlock pistol, a striking homage to the franchise’s history. The 1715 flintlock pistol, seized by Naru from trappers, features an inscription identical to that given to Danny Glover’s character by an Elder Predator in Predator 2.
This inscription, “Raphael Adolini 1715,”has been explored in comic adaptations, depicting Adolini as a pirate captain who, in his final moments, gifts the pistol to a Predator, echoing the same sentiment passed to Glover’s character. This connection is a significant Easter egg, linking Prey to the broader Predator mythology, although it’s uncertain whether future installments will recognize the comic’s backstory or regard Prey as the definitive origin.
Predator’s “If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It”Line
A Callback To A Franchise-Defining Line Of Dialogue
Beyond iconic props, Prey cleverly interlaces memorable dialogue to reinforce its connection to the franchise. A notable moment occurs when Naru, while ensnared and used as bait, voices uncertainty about the Predator’s killability. Her brother, Taabe, counters with the classic line from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch: “If it bleeds, we can kill it.” This reference not only serves as a nostalgic callback for fans but also underscores the relentless spirit of the characters throughout the series.
Schwarzenegger’s Mud Camouflage And Tree Hiding Spot
Naru’s Tactics Mirror Dutch’s Commando Training In Predator
Though Naru doesn’t quote Dutch directly, she emulates several tactics from his legendary fight with the extraterrestrial predator. Notably, she employs a camouflage strategy reminiscent of one used by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character during a pivotal scene in Predator.
Initially, when Naru falls into a mud pit, her struggle becomes a transformative moment. Drawing upon her resourcefulness, she utilizes her tomahawk to escape. Covered in mud, she resembles Dutch, who used the element to shield himself from detection. Furthermore, the branches she aligns with after escaping create an apparent nod to Dutch’s similar concealment tactics, cleverly connecting the two narratives.
The Predator’s Skull Trophy Taxidermy Practice
The Predator Prequel Doesn’t Ignore The Lore
One of the subtle yet impactful Easter eggs in Prey reinforces the continuity of the franchise through the practice of trophy collection by the Predator. While the creature appears visually distinct from its predecessors, the ritual of collecting skull trophies signifies the continuity shared with previous films.
In both the original movies, viewers witness the gruesome process of flesh melting off trophies to reveal polished skulls. Prey reintroduces this tradition, showcasing the Predator using a mist to dissolve flesh on a wolf’s head, emphasizing its ties to the earlier depictions while suggesting an evolution in the display of these trophies over time.
Predator First Aid Kit – Prey’s Creature Treats Its Wounds
Weapons Aren’t The Only Impressive Alien Technology Present
The uniqueness of the Predator extends beyond its advanced weaponry; its arsenal of futuristic tools verges on the medical. A well-known trope in the franchise is the Predator’s self-treatment using its advanced first aid kit. In the first Predator, the creature uses familiar instruments to tend to a bullet wound while perched in obscurity, a theme revisited in subsequent films.
Prey follows this tradition closely, with the creature employing a serum to treat injuries—a callback not just to the original film, but to the nature of the Predator itself. Much like the skull trophies, this fleeting moment adds depth to the lore and continuity that fans appreciate.
Setting Booby Traps To Outsmart The Predator
Naru employs various trap-making skills reminiscent of Dutch’s resourceful tactics, albeit in a less elaborate manner. One memorable trap incorporates sharpened wooden spikes, echoing Dutch’s lethal designs from the original film. Moreover, Naru ingeniously utilizes human bait by capturing and injuring a trapper to lure the Predator.
This strategy parallels Dutch’s use of himself as bait, which triggers the first of his traps, showcasing the cleverness of both warriors in their battle against the formidable foe.
Escape Through Water
Naru Copies The Recurring Predator Trope
Naru’s initial encounter with the Predator is woven into a familiar trope: the aquatic escape. While attempting to hunt a bear, Naru finds herself in a life-threatening situation, swimming into a beaver den as the bear follows. The Predator then intervenes, showcasing its prowess.
In a crucial survival moment, Naru dives into the nearby river, evading capture by using the current to her advantage, mirroring the tactics of Dutch’s escape in the original 1987 film, and also referencing occurrences in Predators, reinforcing thematic continuity across the franchise.
A Torch In The Dark
Prey Emulates One of Predator’s Most Famous Scenes
This particular Easter egg is a clear nod to one of the most memorable segments of Predator. At the climax of the original film, Dutch sets a trap for the alien hunter, lighting a torch to attract it. This iconic moment has embedded itself in the popular imagination, and Prey honors it with subtlety.
In Prey, Naru and her Comanche comrades wield similar torches, albeit for illumination purposes rather than as lures for an alien predator. This clever, yet respectful nod to the original film adds a layer of appreciation for dedicated fans while seamlessly integrating into the ongoing narrative.
Predator Legacy Weapons
The Double-Blade Gauntlet, Three-Dot Laser, And More Make A Return
The weaponry and technology of the Predator race play a crucial role in both its culture and the franchise, and Prey takes a distinctive approach to highlighting these elements. Featuring familiar tools, such as the double-bladed gauntlet present in each Predator film, the narrative also introduces the retractable spear and netting first seen in Predator 2.
While Prey lacks the iconic plasma cannon, it does showcase a similar projectile launcher, utilizing the three-dot laser system familiar to fans. Additionally, it nods to the countdown gauntlet, which activates smaller explosive devices, creating a sense of continuity within the technology displayed throughout the series.