Let's cut right to the chase: following a small first taste at the outset, once the horror earnestly comes into play further in, it's genuinely disturbing. I'm reminded of John Frankenheimer's 1979 film 'Prophecy' in that the discrete instances of raucous, bloody violence are amplified by the implications of other ideas that are far broader and more insidious. Where that latter picture is a monster flick wrapped up in bigger themes, however, Antoine Blossier's 'Prey' ('Proie') is more of a survival thriller, with blood, gore, and carnage so nasty that the more intense genre absolutely comes into play. I truly didn't know what to expect when I sat to watch, and it may be uneven in some small measure, but overall I'm ecstatic about just how nasty this is, and unquestionably satisfying as a viewer. As far as I'm concerned it's fantastic!
The story at large is pretty simple when you get down to it as a peek at tense family dynamics and arguments segue into a hunt, and an investigation into the behavior of local wildlife. Though the early exposition is a bit unclear as it presents, it doesn't take long as the tale progresses before the nature of the previous arguments, and all the answers as to the goings-on, are brightly illuminated. Nor does it take long to get mouthfuls of all the crimson, viscera, and forceful butchery we could possibly ask for; the stunts and effects are utterly terrific from top to bottom - it's not often I'd use the word "sickening" in connection with a movie, but I think it's appropriate in this case - and the creature designs remind of the bear in Alex Garland's 'Annihilation,' which is one of the highest possible compliments in my book. Strong and compelling as the narrative is, it almost feels like more of a vehicle for the scene writing given the severe, forceful, proliferate violence. That relationship in the writing is a little backwards, but in this case, it's perfect, and I can only commend Blossier and co-writer Erich Vogel. While we're at it, kudos to the cast, and chief star Grégoire Colin above all, because they give excellent performances befitting the harsh tone of the proceedings.
I love the original score of Romaric Laurence; while nothing special in the grand scheme of things, the music definitely lends to the tension and suspense of the course of events, and the overarching unnerving atmosphere. I'm pleased that while most of the tale takes place at night, this is an instance where the production is smart enough about use of lighting so that we viewers can actually see what's going on in each scene. To that point, Blossier's direction is outstanding in driving for the most hard-hitting possibilities of each scene, and even as Pierre Aïm's work makes use of "shaky cam" in some measure, by and large the cinematography is gratifyingly sharp in providing us a bounty of detail. And in every other regard this is marvelously well done, from art direction and hair and makeup to editing. There's no mistaking that the bloodshed and horror thrills are foremost, however, and in that capacity 'Prey' plainly excels.
It's not for nothing that I mentioned 'Prophecy,' for I recognize a distinct kinship between the two titles and the space that they play in. Setting aside that the creature designs are far and away superior in this 2010 feature, I don't think there's otherwise any difference in quality between the two. Why, just as the ending of 'Prophecy' felt like a missed opportunity, I'm divided as to the last moments here - decidedly grim on the one hand, though on the other, maybe too much of a fuzzy storytelling fade-out. The primary divergence is in the ultimate thrust: 'Prey' boasts the same dark, underlying themes as an enhancer, but focuses on being "nasty, brutish, and short'; 'Prophecy claims significant violence, but the more thematic facets are what leave a major impression. Anyway, maybe I'm nitpicking, and when all is said and done the comparisons are more as a frame of reference than anything else. No matter how you slice it this flick has a fierce bite, and it is fabulously enjoyable and satisfying in the way we hope horror to be. As a matter of personal preference it won't appeal to all, but in my opinion 'Prey' is a superb genre piece that any fan of the style will appreciate. If you have the chance, these eighty minutes are well worth checking out!
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