Dan Trachtenberg successfully brought life back to the Predator franchise with Prey (2022) and followed it up with another strong entry, the animated film Predator: Killer of Killers (2025). Now, he returns with yet another fresh spin on the series, this time putting the Predator front and centre as the main character. But does this new take deliver, or is it a step too far?
The biggest question going in is whether a Predator can truly work as a main character. I can confidently say it does! The Predator, named “Dek” is an outcast for being a runt. His Yautja clan believes he should be killed for his weakness, so he vows to prove himself by hunting the unkillable beast known as the Kalisk. This classic underdog setup makes Dek instantly sympathetic, we want to see him succeed and prove everyone wrong. His journey also doubles as a compelling coming-of-age story as he learns what it truly means to be an Alpha Predator. While the plot follows a familiar formula, it’s executed very well. Alongside Dek, we’re introduced to his synthetic robot partner, Thia, played wonderfully by Elle Fanning. She and Dek share surprisingly strong chemistry, and I really believed in the friendship between them. Elle also takes on a dual role as Thia’s sister, Tessa, giving both characters distinct personalities and mannerisms that make each one feel unique.
There were some concerns about the action, given the film’s PG-13 rating instead of the usual R. Fortunately, the action remains as intense and brutal as ever. There are genuinely great kills, exciting set pieces, and sharp fight choreography. I especially appreciated how the Synthetics fight with a cold, robotic precision that fits their nature perfectly. The score by Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch deserves praise as well. Their use of synths and electronic instruments brings the sci-fi setting to life, and the inclusion of Yautja chants in the score adds a unique flavor. Visually, the film is stunning, the planet design, the bizarre creatures, and the Kalisk itself all look fantastic. I particularly liked the eerie “tree tentacle” creatures. The CGI is pretty good, especially the CG on Dek’s face is pretty well-done.
That said, there are a few minor issues. Tessa’s character feels underdeveloped; she had the potential to be far more layered but ends up somewhat one-dimensional. The Kalisk, while visually striking, is a bit underwhelming as a creature feared even by the Yautja. There’s also more humour than expected, it mostly works, but I can see it rubbing some viewers the wrong way. Additionally, the Synthetics occasionally act cartoonishly dumb, which feels inconsistent given their supposed intelligence. The second act also drags slightly, with the plot stalling before picking back up in the finale.
Overall, Dan Trachtenberg delivers another fun and refreshing take on the Predator franchise. Predator: Badlands is an entertaining adventure that just happens to star a Predator and his robotic sidekick. It’s a bold new direction for the series, and I’m genuinely excited to see where Dan takes it next.
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