Hold onto your seats, because Predator: Badlands is here to shake up everything you thought you knew about the franchise. This might just be the boldest Predator film since the 1987 original, and it’s not afraid to flip the script in ways you’d never expect. Directed by the unstoppable Dan Trachtenberg, who’s now batting a perfect three for three with the franchise, this film doesn’t just revitalize the series—it redefines it. After the success of Prey (2022) and the animated surprise Killer of Killers, Badlands feels less like a proof of concept and more like a declaration: This is what modern *Predator can achieve*. And let me tell you, within the first 30 minutes, you’ll be hooked—though the stylish title card doesn’t appear until then, it’s worth the wait.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Badlands dares to make a Yautja the protagonist, a move that feels almost sacrilegious to the franchise’s established tropes. Gone are the hapless humans fighting for survival in jungles, cities, or alien game preserves. Instead, we’re thrust into the alien homeworld of Yautja Prime, exploring their culture through the lens of a single family. It’s a risky gamble, but one that pays off spectacularly. While some diehard fans might balk at this radical shift, the film revels in pushing boundaries, challenging preconceived notions, and delivering something truly fresh in a sea of safe blockbusters (looking at you, The Mandalorian & Grogu and Alien: Romulus).
At its core, Badlands is a genre-bending masterpiece—part Shakespearean family saga, part buddy comedy, and part adrenaline-fueled action film. Following Dek, the underdog Yautja portrayed with raw intensity by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, the movie dives into themes of identity, belonging, and the weight of unattainable ideals. His journey to the ‘death planet’ Genna is as much a physical challenge as it is an emotional one, and Trachtenberg seamlessly weaves between genres, aided by a chameleonic score and stunning cinematography. Elle Fanning’s Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synth, steals scenes with her wide-eyed optimism, forming an unlikely bond with Dek that becomes the heart of the film.
And this is the part most people miss: Badlands isn’t just about action—it’s about connection. The cross-species dynamic between Dek and Thia explores some of the most subversive themes in the franchise, questioning machismo, vulnerability, and what it means to truly belong. Schuster-Koloamatangi and Fanning deliver performances that are nothing short of electrifying, making you root for characters you never thought you’d care about.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Is Badlands perfect? Not quite. The brisk pacing, while keeping the energy high, sometimes sacrifices character depth in favor of exposition. And while the action is top-notch, some might miss the stripped-down intensity of Prey. But these are minor quibbles in the face of what Badlands achieves. It’s the funniest, most heartfelt, and boldest Predator film to date, carving its place in franchise history alongside the original and Trachtenberg’s other triumphs.
Here’s the real question: Can Predator: Badlands redefine what a franchise film can be? Or is it too radical for its own good? Let’s debate in the comments—because one thing’s for sure, this film isn’t just a movie; it’s a conversation starter. Predator: Badlands hits theaters November 7, 2025, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
/Film Rating: 8 out of 10
