Monster movies are the bread and butter of the horror genre.
Indeed, most of the classic horror films that remain popular today are built
around vampires, zombies, werewolves, and ghosts. But, although the traditional
setup of Hero vs. Monster is perennial, many filmmakers over the years have made
it their mission to deviate from the formula.
Because sometimes monsters need their own monsters to be
afraid of.
Increasingly, there are films in which a nightmare creature,
a hitherto unstoppable force, or a presumed big bad come up against something much
bigger and badder. Does it stir our sympathies and change the narrative on the creature
or villain being preyed upon? Perhaps not. But, nonetheless, spare a moment to think
of the evil yobs the infected have to face in the new 28 Years features, the
dinosaurs who eat other dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park series, and the undead Puppet
Master himself – a victim of his own creations.
These are movie monsters who encounter something more
terrifying, savage, hideous, and way worse. And, suffice to say, they well and
truly meet their match.
Just a few years ago, Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey managed to do
what so many monster franchises don’t even attempt, revitalising the property
by returning to smaller-scale storytelling and changing the direction of an ailing
series.
Prey took a new stab at the Predator universe by throwing
the action back to the 1700s and focusing its story on young Comanche woman Naru
(Amber Midthunder), who wants to become a warrior but is thwarted by the
traditions and gender norms of her tribe. And her first big solo challenge arrives
when she goes off the reservation (literally) and encounters a grizzly
bear.
As one of the largest and deadliest land threats of the
(North American) Great Plains, the grizzly has no problem running down his
intended prey. But, right as he’s on top of Naru, just centimetres from noshing
on her cranium, he meets something so much more his size: a Yautja warrior, deposited
onto Earth by an alien dropship to use it as a hunting ground.
The bear gives it his all, but he’s just no match for this
especially feral version of the series’ iconic monster. Beaten, blasted,
gutted, and good night.