A missionary couple—played by Ryan Phillippe and Mena Suvari—find themselves on a flight piloted by a dubious bush pilot (Emile Hirsch). After an unfortunate turn of events, they and several others are stranded in the desolate regions of Southwest Africa, surrounded by lions and hyenas. The 2024 film "Prey" was initially titled “Kalahari,” but was later changed to what felt like a more generic title. The movie poster bears a resemblance to the 2007 film also called “Prey.” At its core, this is a contemporary reimagining of “Sands of the Kalahari” and “Flight of the Phoenix,” incorporating elements reminiscent of "Conan the Barbarian" (1982). While it's the weakest of these films due to budgetary constraints, it functions adequately as a slow-paced survival story where violence is suggested rather than explicitly shown. I found this version preferable to the 2007 “Prey.” There’s an inaccuracy concerning medical care for a wound, and a couple of possible plot inconsistencies arise. However, one can be easily explained by suggesting that a stray bullet damaged the jeep's radiator. A more plausible explanation is that the jeep wasn't present at all, as one of the Namibians mentioned waiting for its return, possibly with another vehicle to transport the group. The other apparent problem could also be resolved with a bit of imagination; the writer/director trusts viewers to connect the dots without needing everything spelled out. This marks the first time I’ve witnessed Hirsch portraying a villainous character and he is believable in the role. I appreciated the subtle ideological conflict between good and evil, morality versus immorality, faith alongside skepticism (or agnosticism), and Christianity contrasted with secular humanism. It's absurd that some have criticized the film as “Christian propaganda.” Given that two of the primary characters are missionaries, discussions about God and faith were inevitable in their conversations. However, these elements are so understated that it’s hard to understand why anyone would object. A similar theme appeared in "The Grey," without generating complaints. Regarding a weather-related event near the end, there's no need to attribute it to supernatural forces since unusual weather phenomena occur naturally. The film prompts reflection on profound questions about existence: What is my purpose? Does a Creator exist? Is life a random occurrence? Are good and evil real—are actions inherently ethical or relative? Can those who have made moral mistakes find redemption? Is selfless love possible? The movie’s runtime is 1 hour, 26 minutes, and filming took place in arid locations north of Los Angeles, including SilverStrand Ranch and Castaic; Agua Dulce Movie Ranch; The Quarry in Semi Valley (for the sand sequence); MH Aviation in Lancaster; and Vasquez Rocks. Studio work was completed at Blackstone Entertainment in Azusa. Additional scenery and animal footage were filmed in South Africa, along with some stock footage. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB