Prey

The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Naru observes tracks in the forest, establishing her as a skilled tracker yearning to prove herself as a hunter in her Comanche tribe, where she is seen as just a healer.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.

The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Naru witnesses strange lights in the sky and hears an unearthly sound. She tracks unusual signs in the forest - skinned snakes and gutted animals - evidence of something unnatural hunting in their territory.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.

The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Naru chooses to venture alone into dangerous territory to track the mysterious predator, defying the men who dismiss her. She crosses into the unknown, committed to proving herself by hunting whatever is out there., moving from reaction to action.

At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Naru is captured by the French trappers and used as bait to lure a grizzly bear. She witnesses the Predator decimate the trappers with overwhelming force, revealing the true scale of what she's up against. Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.

The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Taabe sacrifices himself to save Naru, dying in the Predator's hands. Naru loses her brother, her protector, and the person who believed in her. She is alone, wounded, and seemingly defeated. The whiff of death - her brother dies, and her hope dies with him., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.

The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Naru realizes the Predator's targeting system doesn't track prey with lowered body temperature (learned from the orange flower that reduces her heat signature). She synthesizes her tracking skills, knowledge of the terrain, and understanding of its technology. She knows how to win., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.