There is something special about a classic predator movie: a seemingly endless supply of suspense and dread that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately, most of today’s predator movies tend to overcomplicate the premise in hopes of creating a more compelling story. What these filmmakers don’t understand, however, is that sometimes less is more.
The original movie that started it all, Alien, was a marvel of simplicity. There were no fantastic weapons, alien technology, or impossible creatures, just one ruthless and relentless hunter – the titular alien. The alien was kept in the shadows throughout much of the movie, letting our imaginations, and the limitations of practical special effects, keep the tension and terror at maximum.
By contrast, in many follow-up movies featuring the alien or other similar predators, the producers have tried to one-up each other with bigger and badder monsters, insane alien technology, and dazzling special effects. This impressive spectacle can easily overwhelm the Moviegoer, leaving the suspenseful horror that a good predator movie should evoke in the dust.
The key to a good predator movie is in the tension, the idea that no one is safe and anything could happen, so keeping things simple is essential. Let the suspense and unpredictability come from the movie’s atmosphere and characters, and not from complicated alien weapons and incomprehensible monsters. There is no need for special effects and ostentatious creatures when the real terror could come from the audience’s own imaginations.
Predator movies should keep it simple. Simplicity makes for more effective horror, because the implications and possibilities will have more impact on the audience. Filmmakers should try to embrace the spirit of the original and focus on the tension, suspense and horror that comes from a simple premise instead of heavy-handed special effects. With this approach, predator movies will become as thrilling and terrifying as ever.
