There were many doubts about the result of Predator: The Preyby Dan Trachtenberg, now available at Disney+. Especially after more than two decades of blunders, poor plot decisions and failed reboot attempts that turned the saga into cinematic chaos.
Both fans and specialized critics wondered if it was possible to claim the essence of a premise based on an interesting look at science fiction. How to revitalize a creature, with mythology, culture and even with its own rites?
The director succeeded and exceeded expectations around the project. Predator: The Prey It is a careful piece of action, which in addition to paying tribute to the saga from which it comes, exalts it. It explores in unpublished places of its mythology and analyzes its most complicated elements from a mature dimension. All points of interest for fans of the franchise. But also, an eloquent demonstration that one of the most successful film series in cinema deserved a second chance.
However, the new addition to the chronology raises a question: What is the timeline of the saga? Predatorincluding Predator: the prey? We leave it to you below.
1. Predator: The Prey (premiered in 2022)
Dan Trachtenberg movie happens 300 years before of the events narrated in predator. The argument, in fact, takes place in Comanche territory. And it’s only connected to the rest of the movies by the eventuality of the Predator’s presence. The plot carefully explores the oddities around the creature and makes it clear that this is not his first visit to earth. Or that at least the various raids of the special hunter race it is considered part of the mythology of various cultures.
And although it is not mentioned explicitly, the mere fact could be related to what is narrated in Alien vs. predator. As you may remember, in the 2007 film directed by Paul WS Anderson, it is mentioned that the land was the usual preserve of predators.
two. predator (premiered in 1987)
The first film of the saga to be released would be the second in its chronology and takes place 300 years after Predator: The Prey. The plot is set in 1987 and is the first appearance of the titular monster. It is also the occasion in which the concept of a space culture based on hunting is shown. Predator isn’t just an alien: he has all sorts of characteristics that make him an alpha killer.
It is of great interest that much of the film unfolds with the central monster as a spectral presence. Only in the last section is it shown in its entirety. Also, one of the characters insinuates that it is a supernatural presence. “The jungle is alive” explains the character of Elpidia Carrillo to refer to the horror that is hidden in the thicket.
3. predator 2 (premiered in 1990)
Located chronologically in 1997 (despite being released at the beginning of the decade), it represents a considerable time jump for the plot. It doesn’t include any of the original characters, but it does include some details about the Predator’s customs and habits. In fact, it shows directly that the creature hidden in Los Angeles belongs to a race with definite and dangerous customs.
For his curious ending, the character played by Danny Glover ends up going head-to-head with the Predator. And after winning discover the ship from which it came. In it, he runs into a group of creatures similar to the recently deceased. It is then that the camera shows the bridge where they are. There are bones of all kinds of species — including that of an Alien, which would give rise to the future franchise — and weapons from several different eras. In a brief image, a Comanche can be seen, which could connect the film with the latest in the saga.
Lastly, Glover’s character receives a turn-of-the-century revolver as a reward for defeating the alien on his turf. A plot twist to understand the future behavior of the creature.
Four. predator (premiered in 2018)
The narration takes place between the events narrated in predator 2 (1990) and predators (2010). On this occasion, there are many more details about the nature of the creature, including the hint of a civil war between different races on the same planet.
Furthermore, the plot shows how one of the hunters is kidnapped and held hostage by a human lab. What also allows the most common error regarding the franchise to be corrected. “They are not predators, they hunt for sport and pleasure,” explains one of the characters. The ending hints that the Predators’ internal culture clash could come to Earth.
5. predators (premiered in 2010)
Set at an indeterminate time after predator 2 (1990) and before that predator (2018), the film shows the Predator’s hunting ground on several different levels. It also delves into the fauna and flora of an unidentified planet, but which, it seems, is part of the culture of hunters. It is a territory where living victims are taken to be caught by the aliens in formal training shown in broad strokes.
One of the points of the film is to make it clear that Predators can also be punished by their own race. What could relate to some concepts of predator of 2018.
Full stop is the franchise of alien vs predator. The origin was the comic of the same name published in 1989 by the publisher darkhorse. In fact, it is suggested that both monsters live in the same universe when an Alien skull can be seen aboard the ship in predator 2.
1. Alien vs. predator (premiered in 2004)
The first film of the failed duology is set in 2004 (the year of its release) and directly analyzes the characteristics of the Predators as a culture. seven years away from predator 2, does not mention its plot or characters. But yes, emphasizes the behavior of the creature. Not only, the fact that the Earth is a neutral ground in which a ritual of passage is carried out. Also that it is the place where aspiring warriors must prove their worth. And do it, facing the attack of a group of Aliens, created especially for that purpose.
The film shows that the Predator culture has been present in human history for millennia. And it hints that several of the creatures have interacted with cultures and societies throughout human history.
two. Alien vs. predator 2 (premiered in 2007)
It takes place immediately after the film released in 2004, so it could be said that its chronological point is in the same year. In addition, it follows the events narrated in the previous film almost linearly.
Its first scene shows the fate of the predator killed during the events of the previous film. And the consequences that the rest of the crew on board the ship will have to face. The production doesn’t add much to the already exposed mythology. But yes, it shows a brief glimpse of the hunter’s mortuary rite, which is not without interest.