With Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, director Dan Trachtenberg has revitalized the Predator franchise. By giving us stories with a new look at the franchise, Predator feels updated in a way that does not dilute the original movies. With Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg once again expands the mythology of the dreaded hunters. The code of the Yuatja (the species we know as the predators) was briefly shown in the original Predator movie. In the final segment of Killer of Killers, we learned more about them and what happens to people who defeat a Yuatja. Badlands goes back a little and shows us how a Yuatja becomes part of a clan and what they must do for their cloak, the device that turns them invisible.
The film begins on the planet, Yautja Prime, where we see Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) searching for his brother Kwei (Michael Homick). The dynamic between the two brothers, unveals something that we have not seen before in Predator movies. We see how the Yuatja have a code and only the strong will be part of the clan. When their father arrives, a shift in mood occurs that not only reveals the importance of strength but sets Dek off on his mission to prove his worth.
Without giving away too much from the intro, Trachtenberg shows us how the concept of toxic masculinity exists in this universe. Dek’s father favors his brother, Kwei, because Dek is smaller and deemed not worthy. This makes Dek work harder to please his father but his father’s mind is already set about what to do with him. Seeing this is a great insight into the Yuatja and makes you wonder what previous version of them had to deal with this type of exclusion. Dek is the perfect example of being little and having a big heart. While he may not seem little to us, he is small compared to other members of his clan.
Dek ends up on the plannet Genna, looking to hunt down the Kalisk. Killing this beast will not onlly put him at the top of his clan’s chain but will prove he iw worthy of being alive. While on the hunt, he realizes that on this planet it is hunt or be hunted. On the planet Dek meets Thia (Elle Fanning), the remnants of a synthetic that was created by Weyland-Yutani. Thia informs Dek that she can help him out while on the planet. Once they decide on hot to work together the film takes an 80’s buddy-cop film turn.
The relationship between the two is great by Dek being the straight person and Thia being the lighter one. Her quick pace diaglogue and constant questions slowly breaks down the shield that Dek has up. The bond between them grows more as we are introduced to a third character whom Thia names Bud. This character brings a new level of silliness to the franchise and it works. Fans of the previous Predator movies might turn their head at these scenes, but it is great to see that the Yuatja are not always one hundred precent serious.
One of the great things about Predator: Badlands is the homage to early 80s action movies. The build up to the mission is quick and there is not much exposition to it. The action sequences are over the top in a way that could only happen in a Predator movie. There are nods to certain tropes that we always see in action movies. The one moment that stood out to me was Dek preparing himself for the hunt. Not to say too much, but in every action movie we see this moment. We see the protagonist arming themselves with all of these amazing weapons and end up with only one of those weapons. It’s hilarious to see that it is used here but the lack of weapons only makes Dek that more dangerous.
The final act has a few twists that you can kind of see coming. Even though you might recognize it, that doesn’t take away from the action displayed on the screen. Throughout the movie we see not only the importance of teamwork, but also of family and the feeling of belonging. Dek was an outcast due to his size and on this planet he realizes that he is more than what people see of him. This is a synthetic whos story is similar to Deks and she is also trying to find her place in this world. The two of them working together gives them a sense of self and belonging. Predator: Badlands not only humanizes the Yuatja but makes this fan of the series like them even more.
Final Thoughts: Predator: Badlands humanizes and enhances the lore of the Yautja. It gives us fantastic action sequences and a incredible storyline. Predator: Badlands shows us that Dan Trachtenberg swings for the fences and gets it done. There are some silly moments in the movie, but they work. Family and sense of belonging are big themes in this movie. Stay for the one midcredit scene.
Violence: The movie is rated PG-13, so the amount of violence is limited. Do not worry, even thought it has this rating there is plenty of action and incredible kills done by Dek. Since this is sci-fi violence, they can get away with creatures being cut into pieces on the screen.
Kid-Friendly: The themes of family, belonging, and finding your place in the world are great for all ages. Even thought these are being from another world, these themes are universal.
20th Century Studios’ “Predator: Badlands,” directed by Dan Trachtenberg (“Prey”), opens exclusively in theaters November 7, 2025. The newest entry in the “Predator” franchise is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. The film is produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, Brent O’Connor.