Prey (2024) is an action-thriller film directed and written by Mukunda Michael Dewil. It stars Ryan Phillippe, Mena Suvari, and Emile Hirsch in a survival story set against the backdrop of the perilous Kalahari Desert. Blending human drama, wildlife dangers, and moral dilemmas, the movie explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the unpredictability of human nature under pressure.
The story follows Andrew (Ryan Phillippe) and Sue (Mena Suvari), a young couple working as Christian missionaries in a remote region of the Kalahari Desert. Their tranquil mission is shattered when a local extremist militant group targets them with death threats, forcing them to abandon their station.
The couple boards a small plane piloted by Grun (Emile Hirsch) in a desperate bid to escape. Accompanying them on the flight are other passengers with their own backstories, including Tyler (Dylan Flashner), Max (Tristan Thompson), and Chrissy (Michaela Sasner). The plane crashes in the Ngala Reserve, a harsh wilderness teeming with predatory animals and other dangers.
Sue becomes trapped in the wreckage, while the remaining survivors venture into the unforgiving desert to seek help. As the group faces physical and psychological challenges, internal conflicts and hidden motivations come to the surface. The survivors contend not only with wild predators but also with their own distrust and the moral dilemmas of their situation.
The story builds tension as the characters struggle to overcome the combined forces of nature, wildlife, and human treachery, leading to a climactic confrontation that questions what people are willing to do to survive.
Prey (2024) is a gritty survival thriller that offers a mix of suspense, action, and character drama. While it may not break new ground in the genre, its unique desert setting and high-stakes premise provide a compelling narrative for fans of survival stories. Despite mixed critical reception, the filmβs tense atmosphere and performances by its lead cast ensure it remains an engaging, albeit modest, entry in the survival-thriller genre.