Prey (2016 film)

Lore & Background

The film follows Chief Inspector Olaf Brinkers, who investigates a slaughtered family on a farm near Amsterdam. Veterinarian Lizzy, who spent years in Tanzania, confirms the deaths were caused by a large male lion. Despite evidence, Police Commissioner Zaimberg refuses to believe until more deaths occur, leading to a series of failed hunts involving an amateur hunter, who is killed, and his son, who survives. Eventually, Lizzy calls in her ex-boyfriend, wheelchair-using big game hunter Jack Delarue, who helps track the lion but is severely injured. Lizzy ultimately kills the lion with an awl, but Delarue dies from his injuries.

Reader's Guide

Prey is notable as a Dutch genre film that blends action, comedy, and horror with a premise of a lion rampaging through Amsterdam. Directed by Dick Maas, known for his satirical style, the film received mostly positive reviews in the Netherlands, with critics praising it as an entertaining thriller and a fine addition to Maas's oeuvre. However, it was a box office disappointment in its home country, attracting only 30,000 visitors and grossing over $231,548. Its unexpected success in China, where it grossed over $6.5 million in 4,000 theaters in 2019, highlights the film's international appeal. The plot's twist—that there were two lions, not one—adds a layer of suspense, though the film ends ambiguously with a growl from the bushes.

Did You Know?

• The film was released on 13 October 2016.
• It was a box office flop in the Netherlands with only 30,000 visitors.
• In 2017, the film grossed over $6.5 million in China across 4,000 theaters.
• The plot involves a twist revealing there were two lions, not one.

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