Dan Trachtenberg should be given the keys to the Predator universe (if that hasn’t happened already). Predator: Badlands blows wide the possibilities where the franchise can go from here.

How does the Predator fit into the modern movie landscape? Is it just a sign of a fearful studio too reliant on proven IP to milk nostalgia points at the box office? Can you actually do something new with a character who has made eight previous appearances on the big screen (two of those being crossover appearances, and two being direct releases on Hulu)? For Dan Trachtenberg, that’s the challenge he’s tackled three times. First, he proved that you could make a Predator movie that’s more a genuine character story of an Indigenous girl who hunts a Yautja. Then, he expanded that model into animation and new time periods to explore the Predator’s hunts on Earth. And now, Trachtenberg has transformed the Predator into the protagonist in his latest franchise endeavor, Predator: Badlands. In his quest to push the boundaries of what’s possible, Trachtenberg succeeds in bringing the apex cinematic killer to the big screen with an engaging adventure. 

Before I dive further into this review, I want to preface my history with the Predator universe. 2025, this year, was the first time I watched any of these movies. Yeah, I know, very late to the game. As a certified chicken, the Predator movies have never been my cup of tea since they usually skew as horror. When I was asked by work to cover an edit bay visit for Predator: Badlands earlier this year, it was my opportunity to get on the bandwagon. In preparation, I watched the original Predator by John McTiernan and Prey for the first time. Come to my surprise, I enjoyed both, particularly Prey and Naru’s (Amber Midthunder) story. Then I went to the edit bay visit, and my mind was blown by the first 20 mins of Badlands and a taste of the animated anthology, Predator: Killer of Killers. It was then I thought “Ok, maybe Dan Trachtenberg knows what he’s doing.” 

I put all this into perspective when I say, I don’t have deep ties to the entire Predator canon and lore. Same goes for the Alien franchise. The only thing Alien I’ve seen is Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth series, which was an excellent series and gave me enough understanding of Synths and the Weyland-Yutani corporation to not be lost in Badlands. If you’re looking for a review that goes deep into Easter eggs from a superfan, this isn’t the spot for you. Also, I will dive into some spoilers regarding the beginning of the movie and Elle Fanning’s character, so if you don’t want spoilers, turn back now. Ok? Ok. Let’s talk Badlands.

Dan Trachtenberg has stated in the past that he challenges himself in making Predator projects by asking a question: “Wouldn’t it be crazy if [BLANK]?” For Badlands, his question was “Wouldn’t it be crazy if the Predator was the protagonist?” And that’s exactly where he takes us. Predator: Badlands follows, Dek, a disgraced runt desperate to prove himself to his father and his clan. Like Naru in Prey, to earn this, he vows to kill an impossible predator — the unkillable Kalisk on Genna. After his brother Kwei (Mike Homik) sacrifices himself to their father and sends him to Genna, Dek has his sights set on the Kalisk. But when landing on a planet where everything is trying to kill you, he soon realizes he may need some new tools in his arsenal. Insert Thia, a damaged Synth missing her legs. He reluctantly agrees to Thia’s help tracking the Kalisk in exchange for returning her to her severed lower half. However, while they’re looking for the Kalisk, Thia’s “sister”, Tessa, is also on her own search for them.

Badlands’ success really hinges on Dek and Thia. With Dek, this is the first time that a Yautja is the lead, a creature that’s always been treated as the villain/antagonist. Dek has shades of Naru in him — a character trying to prove their worth even though their tribe discounts them. Not only is Dek trying to prove that he’s the strongest despite his size, but also, he’s trying to prove that Kwei’s sacrifice mattered, that he didn’t die in vain. Although a fully CGI character, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi really brings Dek to life. The creative choice to make him an underdog within this killer species attempting a rite of passage makes Dek instantly relatable. There’s a recognizable hunger to be taken seriously. Schuster-Koloamatangi gets that and embodies this through Dek’s journey. His prideful, stubborn drive to make a name for himself alone evolves over the course of the 107 minute runtime. The brash younger brother matures into a resourceful, strategic killer. Of course, it helps that his hard edges start to smooth due to his team-up with Thia.

Elle Fanning is having quite the November. Within the same weekend, Predator: Badlands and Sentimental Value is in theaters. Her range as an actor is definitely on display that Fanning can shine in an international indie and in a sci-fi action adventure. Even within Badlands, Fanning’s range is on full display, too. We get her duality between Thia and Tessa. Thia is warm, thoughtful, and collaborative. Tessa is cold, driven, and mission-oriented. Fanning plays both hero and villain, and the switch between the two is effortless. Fanning makes these identical characters unique, yet two sides of the same coin. 

Audiences love a buddy-duo adventure, even better if it’s a reluctant pairing that transforms into genuine respect and friendship. Die Hard, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, The Nice Guys, Men in Black. We’re a sucker for them. Badlands utilizes this with Dek and Thia, and it really works. At first, Dek views Thia as a tool, something to help him survive as he travels to the Kalisk’s nest. She does teach him how to survive the lethal creature and plants found on Genna, but Thia’s light demeanor allows him discover what this hunt means for him. On the flip side, Thia’s journey with Dek challenges her allegiance to Tessa, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, and ultimately, her purpose. Dek, Thia, and Bud (one of Genna’s creatures) become their own clan by the end of the movie. Admittedly, I am a sucker for a found family trope, and Badlands is no exception. 

Despite having a stong story and characters, the only aspect that will get any attention this awards season is the visual effects. On the whole, Predator: Badlands is a special effects marvel. The detail of Dek’s design, and the Yautja as a whole, is incredible. The Predator typically wears a mask and battle armor. However in Badlands, Dek is practically unmasked the majority of the film; meaning, we get to see every movement of his face. From the emotions conveyed in Schuster-Koloamatangi’s eyes to the intricate way Dek’s mouth moves at every moment, the design is excellent. The same goes for Thia, who is practically just an upper-half most of the movie. The creature design for Genna’s inhabitants are great, as well. The only knock I will give the visual effects is the couple instances where I could just tell there was a blue screen. For instance, in the second act, Dek escapes Tessa by jumping out of a Weyland-Yutani transport. Tessa and some of the other Synths look out to where he had jumped, and the background felt artificial, like it wasn’t fully done. With so many VFX attention being given to Dek, Thia, and the creatures, it’s understandable why some of the backgrounds might lack. I have no clue how much of a deadline the visual effects artists were given, but one would hope that this gets improved in the sequel. Then again, studios need to give visual effects artists better working timelines in general, but that’s a conversation for another time.

Predator: Badlands blows wide the possibilities where the franchise can go from here. Because of the sci-fi action leanings of this movie, Badlands is the most accessible Predator movie for general audiences. If Killer of Killers wasn’t clear enough, Badlands is proof of the places Dan Trachtenberg can go. Plus, based on the tease at the end of Badlands, it’s clear there are more stories to mine, and I can’t wait to explore them in a sequel.

I feel very comfortable in saying that after going 3-for-3, Dan Trachtenberg should be given the keys to the Predator universe (if that hasn’t happened already). Between this, and the latest Planet of the Apes movie from Wes Ball, the future is bright for these 20th Century Studios legacy franchises. It’s not a question if there will be another Alien vs. Predator movie; it’s a matter of when.

Grade: B+

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: Best Visual Effects

Where to Watch: In Theaters