Review: 'Prey' is the coolest, most tension-filled movie in the 'Predator' franchise. Too bad it's not in theaters.

If you want proof of screenwriter William Goldman’s observation about Hollywood, that “nobody knows anything,” look no further than what Disney is doing to “Prey.”

The bloody science-fiction thriller, the fifth in the “Predator” franchise (seventh if you count the “Alien vs. Predator” crossovers), is hands-down the best of the lot — and probably would be luring a ton of fans into movie theaters. But Disney, which now controls 20th Century Studios (formerly Fox), decided not to bother with a theatrical release, and is releasing it directly on its streaming platform, Hulu.

Too bad, because director Dan Trachtenberg’s engrossing, thrilling action movie would play audiences like a calliope, a symphony of yelling, gasping, screaming and cheering,

The story is set in 1719 in the northern Great Plains, in a Comanche village where Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young woman, aims to prove she’s as good a hunter as any of the young men, including her brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers). When a cougar is spotted near the village, Naru wants to join Taabe in the hunting party, and is mocked by the other young male warriors.

Naru comes face to face with the big cat, but ultimately it’s Taabe who kills it and drags it back to the village. While Taabe receives the praise of the village, and the mantle of war chief from their father (Julian Black Antelope), Naru is ignored when she asks an important question: What scared the cougar enough to make it change its pattern and come close to the village?

Trachtenberg (who directed the tension-filled “10 Cloverfield Lane”) shows us what scared the cougar: The same armor-wearing, invisibility-cloaked hunter-killer that gave Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura a run for their money 35 years ago.

Naru, who becomes the center of the story, quickly understands the menace of this remorseless killer, but convincing the young men of her village is another challenge. She also comes across quicksand, French-Canadian fur trappers, and other obstacles before the inevitable showdown with the bloodthirsty alien.

Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison, who share story credit, strike a deft balance between creating something new and referencing the previous films. It’s fascinating to see them adapt 300-year-old weapons to face the Predator’s laser-guided arsenal, and push Naru’s skills and strategy to the limit.

It certainly helps that Midthunder is fully committed to this demanding role, and has the chops to deliver. She gives Naru the grit and determination to make “Prey” the sort of movie you hope will spawn additional installments. Hopefully, in a movie theater next time.

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‘Prey’

★★★1/2

Starts streaming Friday, August 5, on Hulu. Rated R for strong bloody violence. Running time: 100 minutes.