“PREY 2 (2024)” marks the chilling return of the Predator franchise in a stunning follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2022 film Prey. Directed once again by Dan Trachtenberg, this sequel takes the franchise deeper into Earth's history—and even deeper into the mythology of the Predators themselves.
Set in 18th-century Japan, the story follows a lone female samurai on a quest for vengeance, only to find herself caught in the crosshairs of a new, more advanced Yautja hunter. With breathtaking action, fierce emotion, and a chilling atmosphere, Prey 2 proves that the hunt never ends—it only changes form.
The story opens in 1720, during a time of chaos in feudal Japan. Aiko Tanaka, a skilled onna-bugeisha (female warrior) who once served a noble clan, now wanders the mountains in exile. After her family was slaughtered by a rival warlord and she was branded a traitor, Aiko has only one purpose: survival—and revenge.
When a mysterious fireball streaks across the night sky and crashes deep within the Iya Valley, villagers begin disappearing. Strange tracks, skinned corpses, and guttural roars fill the forests. The local samurai believe it's a demon of vengeance. But Aiko sees something far more terrifying.
Hidden in the shadows of the misty forests is a new kind of hunter—a Predator unlike any before, equipped with bladed armor, adaptive camouflage, and energy weapons carved with alien kanji. This Yautja views the samurai code as a challenge—and Aiko, with her relentless spirit and unmatched swordplay, is its chosen prey.
Aiko vs. Predator
What made Prey (2022) so powerful was its grounded, character-driven storytelling. Prey 2 continues that tradition by focusing on Aiko’s inner battle as much as the external threat. Haunted by the death of her family and scorned by the world she once protected, Aiko lives without honor or home—until the Predator forces her to fight not just for revenge, but for redemption.
Using nothing but her katana, instinct, and ancestral wisdom, Aiko must survive ambush after ambush. The Predator sees her as a worthy opponent and adapts its strategy accordingly—each battle deadlier than the last. But Aiko is more than prey. She is a hunter in her own right.
The Yautja in Prey 2 is different from the brute in the original films. This hunter is a “Kenshi-class Predator”—a warrior caste obsessed with testing itself against the greatest human fighters in history. It uses exotic weapons like a plasma shuriken, a spear that splits mid-strike, and a gravity snare that immobilizes victims in midair.
Unlike previous Predators, this one respects the bushido code. In several scenes, it even bows before duels, and leaves offerings to fallen warriors. But make no mistake—it is ruthless, calculating, and more than willing to cheat death when honor fails.
Prey 2 greatly expands the Yautja mythology. Flashbacks reveal glimpses of the Predator homeworld, with scenes of ritual combat and ancient oaths. The film also implies that Earth has long been a hunting ground—and that each era holds a different kind of warrior for the Yautja to challenge.
A post-credits scene even hints at future installments, with cave paintings showing Roman gladiators, Zulu warriors, and even World War II resistance fighters—all future candidates for the next hunts.
-
Kanna Hashimoto delivers a star-making performance as Aiko, balancing stoic restraint with explosive rage. Her physicality and emotional depth make her a compelling lead.
-
Ken Watanabe appears in a mentor role as Master Ieyasu, a blind monk who teaches Aiko the spiritual path of the sword. His cryptic insights help her turn fear into focus.
-
Motion-capture legend Dane DiLiegro returns as the Predator, bringing an animalistic grace to the alien warrior.
At its core, Prey 2 explores the clash between two codes of honor—samurai and Yautja. Both warriors are bound by pride, loyalty, and a desire to test their strength. Yet the film doesn’t romanticize violence. Aiko’s journey is filled with grief, sacrifice, and the question of what it truly means to be “worthy.”
She tells Ieyasu in a key moment:
“My sword was for my clan. My anger was for my family. But now… I fight because I must. Not for vengeance. For the living.”
Visually, Prey 2 is stunning. Trachtenberg and cinematographer Jeff Cutter embrace the natural beauty of Japan’s forests, rivers, and snow-covered mountain passes. Long, atmospheric shots contrast with brutal, close-quarter combat sequences that showcase both samurai swordplay and alien tech.
The final showdown—Aiko vs. Predator in a burning bamboo grove—is a breathtaking climax, filled with tension, misdirection, and poetic brutality.
Reception and Legacy
Early audiences have hailed Prey 2 as “the best Predator film since the original 1987 classic,” praising its commitment to story, character, and cinematic quality. It has reignited interest in historical Predator stories, opening the door for an anthology-style franchise that explores different cultures and warriors across time.
Prey 2 (2024) is not just a great sci-fi thriller—it’s a meditation on honor, legacy, and the primal nature of survival. With a fresh setting, powerful lead, and respectful expansion of the Predator mythos, it delivers everything fans hoped for and more.
Whether you're a die-hard Predator fan or new to the series, Prey 2 will keep you on the edge of your seat—and leave you wondering who the Yautja will hunt next.
