Predator: Badlands (2025)

​“Predator: Badlands” stars Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Mike Homik, Rohinal Nayaran, Reuben De Jong, and Cameron Brown.  Released on November 7, 2025, the film has a disgraced Yautja searching for an ultimate adversary.

The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who also directed “10 Cloverfield Lane”, “Prey”, and “Predator: Killer of Killers”.  It is the ninth film in the “Predator” franchise.  The Predator is often celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most iconic sci-fi villains ever to slash their way onto the big screen.  With its imposing physique, strategic mind, and relentless obsession with the hunt, this alien warrior poses a formidable threat to any human prey who dares to cross its path, as demonstrated in previous cinematic outings.  Since 1987, audiences have witnessed these ferocious, lethal, and highly skilled “Predators” pursuing their human prey.  However, this year sees the franchise introducing a Predator that is less experienced than the others—a mere runt thrown into the hunt for the very first time.  Following the release of “Predator: Killer of Killers”, director Dan Trachtenberg continues to keep the “Predator” train rolling this year with yet another installment under his belt, but with an intriguing twist.  Instead of a human battling a Predator, this film features the latter as the protagonist as it embarks on its first-ever intergalactic hunt.  Does this new direction provide a refreshing installment that further revitalizes the sci-fi film series?  Let’s join the hunt and find out!

Set in a distant future, the story centers on Dek (Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Predator viewed as an outcast by both the Yautja clan and his father, Njohur (Schuster-Koloamatangi), due to his runt-like stature.  Eager to prove himself, Dek embarks on a perilous journey to the remote planet of Genna to hunt the formidable apex predator known as the Kalisk.  Given the lethal dangers surrounding the planet, Dek’s journey is far from easy.  During his quest, Dek forms an unlikely partnership with Thia (Fanning), a damaged Weyland-Yutani synth who accompanies him despite her condition.  As they traverse through the hazardous planet, Dek and Thia encounter a dangerous group of androids led by another Wey-Yu synth, Tessa (Fanning), prompting Dek to find the bravery necessary to become the ultimate Predator. 

I have no doubts when I say that Dan Trachtenberg has been single-handedly saving the “Predator” franchise through his innovative vision.  While “10 Cloverfield Lane” was when I first saw potential in his directorial expertise, it was “Prey” that truly demonstrated Trachtenberg’s ability to inject new energy into a franchise that seemed to be losing steam.  This was further illustrated by the animated anthology film “Killer of Killers”, which broadened the “human-vs-Predator” narrative across various parts of history.  For those who haven’t been keeping up with my reviews, I have genuinely admired both of Trachtenberg’s recent installments for different reasons, possibly more so than the earlier entries.  I enjoyed “Prey” the most for its fresh, gripping interpretation of the original film’s premise, but that doesn’t diminish the impressive moments in “Killer of Killers”, which I appreciated for its ambitious presentation and anthology format.  Of course, both these movies were released exclusively on Hulu rather than in theaters, which feels like a missed opportunity, as they certainly had the potential to shine as theatrical experiences, especially “Killer of Killers”.

Fortunately for us, “Predator: Badlands” successfully avoided this similar fate, marking the first installment to be released in theaters since “The Predator” in 2018.  Seven years is quite a long time to see our favorite lethal hunter back on the big screen, but the wait has proven to be worthwhile, in my experience.  “Badlands” delivers a cinematic blockbuster experience that “Prey” and “Killer of Killers” could have aspired to: a thrilling, delightfully savage hunt packed with moments that would make audiences wince and cheer.  Although its storyline stumbled a bit in its themes during the trek, the film maintains the essence that made the “Predator” movies so entertaining, while presenting a worthy tale that warrants its role-reversal reminiscent of “Terminator 2”.  However, it’s worth noting that “Badlands” is also the first “Predator” movie to receive a PG-13 rating, differing from its predecessors’ R rating due to the lack of human characters.  That is, if you don’t count “Alien vs. Predator” as a “Predator” installment since that’s more of a crossover film, though the synths from the “Alien” movies appear in “Badlands”.  So, you can technically say that “Badlands” could serve as a child’s first introduction to the violent sci-fi franchise, assuming they haven’t seen the previous installments or “Alien vs. Predator”.  Nonetheless, it still contains the level of carnage we expect from its predecessors, albeit with alien blood and android fragments instead of human gore.

With its teen rating, “Badlands” also tends to be a bit more light-hearted amid its violence, particularly with its humor.  Occasionally, the movie steps back from the hunt to deliver amusing interactions among Dek, Thia, and a small, indestructible creature named Bud (Nayaran).  On the one hand, it possessed levity that adds an unexpected level of enjoyment, akin to watching Dek navigate a planet-shaped death trap, primarily through the chemistry between Dek and Thia.  On the other hand, it also had a few comedic moments that may feel reminiscent of other properties under Disney’s umbrella, such as Marvel and Star Wars.  I wouldn’t classify that as a drawback, as I thought the humor integrates well with the gritty alien and android-centric bloodshed.  Yet, those seeking a hard-R “Predator” movie might want to search for a different planet to hunt on.  However, if you’re less concerned about the tone and eager to see some Predator action, regardless of the color of the blood spilled, you’ll likely feel satisfied with its rollicking and fast-paced adventure.

Regarding its story, “Badlands” explores a more empathetic side of the savage Predator as Dek seeks acceptance within his clan.  Initially seen as a solitary figure who views others and human connection as weaknesses, Dek gradually learns the true meaning of strength through unforeseen alliances.  While it revisits themes of survival and revenge, “Badlands” also serves as a character-driven exploration of forging one’s own path, leadership, and loyalty.  Writer Patrick Aison has proven to audiences with his work on “Prey” that he can deliver compelling characters while still having fun with the deadly “Predator” action typical of the franchise.  Unsurprisingly, his work is no different in “Badlands”, particularly in the development of Dek.  Balancing the fearsome nature of one of the deadliest adversaries in Hollywood history with a touch of humanity was no small feat, but Aison managed to find that sweet spot to make this blend work for me.  However, the story is far from a perfect hunt, as its intended emotional core lacked the gut punch it aims for amid its straightforward, video-game-esque structure.  That’s not to say I wanted “Badlands” to be an overall tear-jerker, but in terms of the direction it took, I think it could have benefited from deeper exploration to elevate its storytelling stakes a bit more.

The film is under two hours long, a respectable length for a “Predator” movie, given its brisk pacing.  Much like Dek, “Badlands” wastes no time delving into the perilous world of Genna, with the story swiftly moving along without breaking a sweat.  While it slows itself down at times to explore its characters further, there’s actually never a dull moment that forces me to check my watch.  It kept me locked in from the sweeping opening shot to the thrilling spectacle in the third act.  There were a couple of instances where the pacing felt slightly rushed, as if they left some things on the cutting-room floor.  Nevertheless, the film’s pacing ensures audiences get what they came for — fast-paced action and thrills — without any human characters slowing its momentum.  This is mainly due to Dan Trachtenberg, who continues to show his full respect for the franchise while retaining his signature bleak yet stunning aesthetics and the intense energy of his previous works.  He continues to prove his worth in the industry, not just through his influential vision but also through his handling of its action scenes.  These sequences were undoubtedly brutal and thrilling, and Trachtenberg’s framing choices kept me close to the violence without relying heavily on quick cuts and shaky cam to achieve a teen rating.

The visual effects were also awe-inspiring, particularly for the planet Genna and its inhabitants.  Granted, the planet is chock full of nasty yet cleverly designed creatures that strive to eat those who dare step on their turf.  Heck, even the blades of grass can kill you with just one touch.  However, beyond those hazards, it also boasts some breathtaking views, crafted through somber color palettes, visual splendor, and Jeff Cutter’s cinematography.  Were it not for its deadly inhabitants, I might consider Genna to be a tourist destination worth visiting on your next vacation.  Finally, we have its cast, which was quite limited given its premise, but possessed enough skills in their performances to survive the hunt.  The film features two leads who provide dual roles: Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.  Fanning portrays two Wey-Yu synths, while Schuster-Koloamatangi takes on two Predator roles, each character distinct in their traits, allowing the actors to demonstrate their range.  This results in a captivating two-actor showcase that infuses the sci-fi adventure with fun and subtle heart.  Elle Fanning’s Thia may be perceived as a thorn in our sides regarding her quirky, talkative personality, but she actually turned out to be quite an endearing and humorous tool, thanks to Fanning’s nuanced performance.  She also delivered a noteworthy performance as Tessa, Thia’s not-so-amusing counterpart.  Schuster-Koloamatangi also made a strong impression with his portrayal of Dek, both in voice and physicality.  He has appeared in projects like “Red, White & Brass” and “Jonah”, but this film was my first encounter with the actor/stuntman.  Based on this performance, there’s a chance we might see more of him in some shape or form, potentially in future “Predator” installments.

Overall, “Predator: Badlands” revitalizes the sci-fi franchise further with an exhilarating intergalactic adventure that paints the iconic hunter in a new light.  Dan Trachtenberg has achieved the impossible of giving the Predator a “Terminator 2” makeover while maintaining the savage qualities of the character from earlier installments.  While the result isn’t perfect, it retains the thrill of the hunt through its action-packed premise and the road-trip-like chemistry between the protagonists.  Its brisk pacing can feel somewhat rushed regarding certain plot elements, and the emotional depth it’s going for is as defective as a malfunctioning synthetic.  Regardless, it is another cinematic hunt that’s worth joining, whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer seeking your first kill.  Fanning and Schuster-Koloamatangi delivered compelling performances that underscore their characters’ distinctive chemistry.  Additionally, Dan Trachtenberg once again demonstrated his promising directorial vision through his handling of the visual effects and action sequences.  Although I liked his previous “Predator” films a bit more, notably “Prey”, I still had a good time with “Badlands”, which is enough to further prove that Trachtenberg is indeed the right captain to steer this franchise’s ship back on course.

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