There Are No Bad Predator Movies

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While not every Predator film is a masterpiece, they all have some redeeming qualities. Even the often-criticized The Predator (2018), despite being a chaotic and heavily edited film, delivered a fun, over-the-top dose of violence and humor. And let’s not forget Predators (2010), a surprisingly strong entry starring Academy Award winner Adrien Brody. However, this discussion excludes Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, which is simply not a good film, and doesn’t really feel like a proper Predator or Alien movie. In my opinion, the best Predator film is Predator 2 (1990). It cleverly places the alien hunter in the middle of a gang war-torn Los Angeles and features memorable performances from Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, and Gary Busey.

That makes me think about why the Predator movies are so consistently good. It’s because the Predator – or a Yautja, as they’re called – is just a fascinating villain. They’re not just a monster, or a typical slasher, and they’re definitely not someone you could ever relate to as a human bad guy. Watching them hunt us is unsettling, but honestly, it’s also a little…recognisable. They’re basically doing what humans have been doing to animals for thousands of years – hunting for sport, without a second thought. And they seem to genuinely enjoy it, which is the really chilling part.

While other films have played with similar ideas, Predator: Badlands completely flips the script. This sequel doesn’t focus on humans at all, instead taking us to the Predators’ home world, Yautja Prime. We meet Dek, a young Predator who isn’t quite living up to his father’s expectations – and his father isn’t shy about letting him know, often with deadly consequences. Determined to prove himself, Dek travels to Genna, a dangerous planet inhabited by the Kalisk, a creature so fearsome that even the most skilled Predators haven’t been able to defeat it. The story has a familiar ring to it, almost like How to Train Your Dragon, and some fans worried about Disney’s acquisition of Fox might find that Badlands leans a little too heavily into that lighter tone. (Yes, I know How to Train Your Dragon is DreamWorks, not Disney. No need to point it out!)

Dek finds himself in the dangerous world of Genna, filled with killer plants, psychic worms, and explosive, thorny flowers. There, he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a quick-witted robot who’s missing her legs. She speaks his language and knows vital information about the planet, offering to help him find the Kalisk if he helps her get new legs. Their partnership forms as they’re pursued by Tessa (also Elle Fanning), a colder robot working for the powerful, galaxy-spanning Weyland-Yutani corporation – known for its villainous activities in the Alien films. Weyland-Yutani wants the Kalisk to build weapons, and Tessa leads an army of androids to hunt down Thia and Dek. As they flee, a bond develops between the two, and they’re joined by a cute, monkey-like creature they call Bud.

Despite its tough title, Predator: Badlands is surprisingly lighthearted. Thia attempts to teach Dek about humor and the beauty of life, but Dek, raised by a cold and ruthless father, believes emotions like empathy, cooperation, and even grief are weaknesses. Ironically, those very ‘weaknesses’ were the reason his father tried to kill him. Some might question a Predator movie tackling toxic masculinity – and it’s understandable why it sounds risky – but director Trachtenberg handles the concept with sincerity, balancing it with clever action. One memorable sequence features Thia’s dismembered body parts fighting back against robotic enemies. The film also features less graphic gore, as many of the creatures killed are synthetic humans.

Dakota Fanning shines as Thia, bringing a charming, though clearly manufactured, sweetness to the role. Despite being artificial, Thia is programmed with enough empathy and wit to connect with the creatures she’s studying. The role requires a delicate balance – just enough humanity to make us care without undermining the irony of her befriending a dangerous Predator. Fanning brilliantly showcases her acting range by also portraying Tessa, the film’s icy villain, with convincing coldness. The fact that the same actress plays both characters adds a fascinating layer of tension and family drama, echoing the strained relationship between Dek and his callous Predator father, who rejected him for lacking ferocity. However, Tessa is also controlled by MU/TH/UR, the powerful AI overseeing operations for the Weyland-Yutani corporation. Really, the movie could have been titled Predator: Father Mother Sister Brother to capture all the complex family dynamics.

As a long-time fan of the Predator franchise, I’ve been wondering if the latest direction with Predator: Badlands can actually work. I know some hardcore fans will complain about a Predator being the good guy – it feels like a shift from the typically dark and brutal tone we’re used to. But honestly, I think the original premise was starting to run out of steam. We saw a glimpse of that earlier this year with Predator: Killer of Killers – it felt more like a collection of ideas for potential spin-offs (Predators vs. Samurai, Vikings, etc.) than a fully realized movie. It had moments, but everything started to feel a little… repetitive. What’s really exciting, though, is that the director – the same one who brought us Prey – clearly gets this universe. He’s really thought through the details of the Yautja, and they feel genuinely alive in his vision, more so than they probably ever will for the rest of us. Badlands is a genuinely pleasant surprise, and I have a feeling he might keep surprising us.

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2025-11-07 21:57