Ever since Dan Trachtenberg got the keys to the Predator franchise back in 2022, he’s taken the ball and ran with it. He revitalized the franchise with the fantastic prequel Prey, and earlier this year dropped a solid summer surprise in the form of animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers. Trachtenberg’s third entry –Predator: Badlands – sheds the horror elements entirely and becomes a full-fledged adventure flick. The decision may annoy some longtime fans, but personally speaking? The movie’s a hell of a lot of fun.
Predator: Badlands begins on the Predators’ homeworld of Yautja Prime, where young Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) wants to prove himself as capable a warrior as the rest of his clan. Despite his skill, his smaller stature makes him appear weak. In the eyes of his father, clan leader Njohrr, that weakness means he’s expendable. To avoid imminent death, Dek is cast out by his brother Kwei (Mike Homik) to the planet Genna—an aptly described “death world.”
Genna is so deadly that within seconds of Dek’s arrival, everything from the creatures to the foliage tries to kill him. Even the grass is made of razor-sharp blades. Dek decides that to prove his worth, he must kill the Kalisk, a massive creature long thought by the Yautja to be unkillable. His only chance of finding the Kalisk is by reluctantly partnering with Thia (Elle Fanning), a legless Weyland-Yutani synthetic searching for her literal and metaphorical other half—her twin synth, Tessa.
“Rest assured, though: even with the softer rating, Badlands remains every bit as violent as the rest of the franchise.”
The film wastes no time getting to the action and barely gives the audience a moment to breathe. The litany of action sequences is well-staged, backed by a powerful score from Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch. One of the most controversial decisions came when Predator: Badlands was announced as a PG-13 film—a decision understandable, given how poorly received the original Alien vs. Predator was. Rest assured, though: even with the softer rating, Badlands remains every bit as violent as the rest of the franchise. It’s packed with on-screen dismemberments, decapitations, bisections and head explosions throughout. Because none of the characters are human, the filmmakers can get away with a lighter rating.
Predator: Badlands also marks the first time a Predator is the central protagonist, and Prey co-writer Patrick Alson imbues the hunter with a surprisingly strong amount of characterization throughout the film. It’s far from the deepest character study out there, and there are moments where it feels like it’s just itching to get back into the action, but it still feels pretty meaningful to see Dek grow as a character through Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s great leading performance.
Over the course of the movie Dek learns to adapt not just to Genna’s harsh environment, but about real leadership being someone who works to protect their group, not simply just “who can kill the most”. It’s weird to say that a Predator film has heart, but Predator: Badlands genuinely has one. Don’t think that means the Yautja has gone soft, though. Dek is still every bit a total badass.
“It’s weird to say that a Predator film has heart, but Predator: Badlands genuinely has one.”
Elle Fanning delivers a strong dual performance in what has truly become a standout year for actors taking on dual roles. Thia is a capable and frequently funny companion, happy to learn from Dek’s carnage and to observe Genna’s dangers with wide-eyed wonder. Tessa, on the other hand, is more in line with most of the synths seen across the Alien franchise—cold, ruthless, and existing only to serve her company’s corporate whims.
The one aspect I’d consider a weak point is the third-act set piece, which I wish hadn’t been filmed in such darkness. While most of the film looks great, that final section appeared a bit too murky for my liking, making it difficult at times to tell what was happening.
While I don’t think Predator: Badlands reaches the heights of Prey, it’s a solid entry point into the franchise and simply a fun time overall. I appreciate that all three of Trachtenberg’s Predator films feel distinct from one another, each expanding the lore in meaningful and fascinating ways. If only the Alien films could be this consistent.
