Predator: Badlands Review: I Wasn’t Expecting The First Predator Movie Without Humans To Be The Most Heartfelt Of The Clan (On Top Of Awesome Action Sci-Fi, Too)

by

The Predators first appeared in the 1987 film Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and quickly became known as a formidable and intimidating alien species with a passion for hunting – and always opposing the hero. Now, like many popular franchises before it, Predator: Badlands is trying something new: it tells the story from the Predator’s point of view, making the alien hunter the main character instead of the villain.

Predator: Badlands (2025)

Here are the details for the film: It will be released on November 7, 2025, and is directed by Dan Tratchenberg. The screenplay is by Patrick Aison and Brian Duffield, and the film stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. It’s rated PG-13 for some intense sci-fi violence and has a runtime of 107 minutes.

This new story doesn’t change how we view the classic Predator movies, but it offers a fresh take on the franchise. It’s a bit more suitable for families, yet it maintains the same enjoyable energy that has always made the series strong.

20th Century Studios has released another Predator movie, making it the third in just three years. Director Dan Trachtenberg, who brought us Prey and this year’s animated Predator: Killer of Killers, is behind this latest installment. While it’s the most ambitious of the three films in terms of scope, it still focuses on strong characters and a compelling story, proving the franchise hasn’t lost its focus despite its growing popularity.

Predator: Badlands successfully makes a Yautja the hero of his own story.

As a huge fan of the Predator franchise, I was immediately hooked by the setup of Badlands. The story begins on the Yautja homeworld, introducing us to Dek, a young Predator eager to prove himself and earn his cloak by taking his first trophy off-world. But things quickly go south – his father, a powerful figure in the clan, deems him unworthy and sentences him to death! Dek manages a daring escape, fleeing to a truly treacherous planet rumored to house an ‘unkillable’ creature – something even the most seasoned Predators fear. It’s a fantastic premise that really sets the stage for a thrilling hunt.

Driven by anger and overconfidence, Dek sets out to retrieve a valuable trophy. However, the difficult conditions on the planet Genna quickly prove to be more challenging than he expected. Fortunately, he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a friendly synthetic from the Weyland-Yutani corporation (known from the Alien movies), who offers to help him with his quest.

Look, Dek isn’t your typical Predator – he’s different, and that’s what’s so cool. He’s been denied the core honor that defines Yautja, which really turns the usual Predator story on its head. It’s fascinating because we get to experience the hunt alongside him, but also understand his drive to prove himself and earn respect. As a fan, I think this is a brilliant way to bring people – even those new to the series – into the story. He’s relatable in a strange way, even though he still speaks in his alien tongue and is absolutely still a dangerous hunter ready to strike!

Predator: Badlands distinguishes itself with a striking score created by Sarah Schachner (known for her work on Prey) and Benjamin Wallfisch (Killer of Killers), and a strong commitment to detail. It’s incredibly exciting to see what weapons the Predator will use, particularly as the story centers on him—or when he’s forced to adapt and use the dangerous plants and creatures of Genna after losing his usual arsenal.

The inclusion of Elle Fanning’s synthetic is disjointed but very much welcome.

At first, the story feels a bit jarring. Dek seems to be in a grand sci-fi adventure, while Thia, a synthetic being, is strangely enthusiastic about being stranded in an alien landscape – especially considering she’s been split in two! It takes a little while for Dek and Thia to connect, but their contrasting personalities are immediately fun to watch. Soon, Dek realizes he needs Thia’s help to achieve his goal, and ends up carrying what remains of her as a means to an end.

It turns out Thia’s arrival on Genna is part of a larger story, and she relies on him as much as he relies on her. Thia’s presence actually enhances the Yautja’s personal growth, both in terms of the plot and the emotional impact. While Dek is driven by a desire for conflict, Thia is designed to feel empathy for the creatures she’s studying.

It’s not surprising that Dek and Thia, while traveling through the harsh landscape of Genna, often clash due to their different perspectives – their disagreements are almost as constant as the flimsy rope tying them together. This leads to predictable conversations that sometimes feel overly sweet for a film like this. However, the story also offers a heartwarming message about breaking free from harmful masculine stereotypes and embracing vulnerability by asking for help, which is particularly meaningful coming from a franchise traditionally focused on tough heroes.

The third act is much faster-paced and filled with exciting action sequences that cleverly utilize the characters and setting. It pays homage to classic films like Predator and Alien without feeling repetitive or predictable.

Few franchise films make the best of a small-scale CGI fest like this one.

Ultimately, Predator: Badlands invites viewers to leave Earth behind and enter a hostile alien world, complete with dangerous plant life. The story follows a Predator, a synthetic android, and a surprisingly charming creature named Bub who quickly becomes the most memorable character. While the visual effects aren’t perfect, the film creates imaginative and enjoyable sci-fi landscapes. However, the experience sometimes feels more like playing a video game than watching a movie.

Overall, Predator: Badlands is surprisingly simple and effective, telling a clear story in just under two hours. It’s refreshing to see this in a big franchise like Predator. While the movie can be predictable and leans towards being more compassionate than previous installments, its many strengths, especially considering how different it is from other films in the series, prove that the franchise is in good hands with director Trachtenberg. It’s still arguably more enjoyable to see the Yautja as villains, but this movie demonstrates that exploring their perspective and showcasing their victories can be compelling, and it leaves room for further stories to be told.

Read More

2025-11-07 02:09