Dan Trachtenberg might just be the best thing to happen to the Predator universe in decades.
Predator: Killer of Killers, which was released earlier in 2025, was a return to top form for the Predator franchise, so I was looking forward to Predator: Badlands a lot.
And Dan Trachtenberg delivers, again.
Plot Summary of Predator: Badlands (Spoiler-Free)
Predator: Badlands is about a young Yautja named Dek, who’s desperate to prove himself to his clan after being dismissed as a runt, and when his older brother sacrifices himself to give Dek a shot at glory, Dek sets out to hunt the unkillable Kalisk on a planet called Genna.
Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds, as Genna is full of deadly creatures, dangerous terrain, and one seriously lethal predator, and along the way, Dek teams up with Thia, a damaged Synth missing her legs, who offers to help him track the Kalisk if he promises to help restore her.
Things get complicated because Thia’s sister, Tessa, is also on the hunt for them, and the story balances action, suspense, and a growing relationship between Dek and Thia as they navigate one lethal situation after another.
Predator: Badlands Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Predator: Badlands is a solid, entertaining, and emotional entry in the Predator franchise, and yes, I mean that – emotional, which is probably the last thing most people expect from a movie about an alien killing machine.
Trachtenberg certainly knows how to make a world feel massive without drowning you in too much exposition, and Genna feels dangerous at every turn, from the alien creatures roaming the landscape to the harsh, unforgiving terrain itself.
But the movie isn’t all grim seriousness either, as there’s a wry sense of humor sprinkled throughout, mostly in Dek’s brash, stubborn attitude, and he’s like that kid in a group project who insists on doing everything himself, but somehow you can’t help rooting for him.
Then there’s Thia, played brilliantly by Elle Fanning, who is warm, thoughtful, and collaborative, a stark contrast to Dek’s single-minded stubbornness, and also Tessa, also played by Fanning, who’s cold, driven, and mission-obsessed.
Watching Fanning switch between these two roles is fairly fascinating, as she gives each character its own energy, its own motivations, and you genuinely believe in both of them even though they’re physically identical.
Watching the dynamic between Thia and Dek evolve was one of my favorite parts of the movie, and while it starts out as pure necessity – she needs her survival skills, she needs him to keep her alive -but slowly, it becomes something much deeper.
The movie is also beautifully paced, and I didn’t feel like it dragged at any point, where the tension builds naturally, the action hits hard, and the quieter moments give you a chance to breathe and really connect with the characters – the runtime of 107 minutes feels just right.
The visual effects are also mostly fantastic, especially Dek’s design, and seeing him unmasked most of the movie was a bold choice, and it paid off, with every subtle facial movement, every tiny shift in posture conveyed character.
And while there are some tense moments and some gory scenes in the film, it’s definitely more sci-fi adventure than scream-fest, and it leans into the Predator as a character and as part of a larger, dangerous ecosystem, where the movie has heart, stakes, and surprisingly good humor.
I also have to give a praise to the supporting characters and the world-building in the film.
Genna feels like a living, breathing place, where the creatures are imaginative, the hazards feel real, and the stakes never feel manufactured, and you can tell there’s been careful thought about how the planet operates..
Even minor characters have personality, whether it’s other Yautja or the Weyland-Yutani Synths, and while they may not all get deep arcs, but they feel like they exist in this world, and not just as plot devices.
This is another Predator movie that feels fresh, exciting, and surprisingly emotional, where yet again Trachtenberg has proven he knows exactly what he’s doing with this universe.
What I liked (And What I Didn’t like)
Pros
Visual Design
The visual design is pretty incredible.
World-Building
The environment and creatures are imaginative and consistent.
Dek
Dek is relatable, flawed, and dynamic, and he grows in a way that’s satisfying to watch.
Dual Performance
Elle Fanning’s Thia and Tessa are distinct and believable.
Pacing
107 minutes feels perfect, where everything feels balanced.
Humor
The humor helps prevent the movie from feeling too grim, all the while still respecting the stakes at play for a Predator film.
Accessibility
Even if you’re not familiar with the franchise, the film is still easy to follow and engaging for anyone to watch,
Cons
Minor VFX issues
Some backgrounds feel noticeably artificial.
Limited Screen Time for Some Creatures
Genna’s wildlife is interesting, but a few get little focus.
Some Over-Familiar Plot Points
The “prove yourself to your clan” arc is slightly familiar, though executed well.
Missing a Few Big Set-Pieces
Could have used one more show-stopping action moment to fully blow you away.
Who Might Like Predator: Badlands
- Fans of sci-fi action movies
- Anyone who enjoy underdog stories and character growth
- Those who enjoy creative creature design and world-building
- Fans of Elle Fanning
- People looking for action mixed with humor
Who Might Dislike Predator: Badlands
- Fans of traditional Predator stories who don’t like the protagonist being a Yautja
- Viewers who prefer complex human-centric political intrigue
- Those who dislike emotional arcs in action movies
- Anyone seeking an ultra-dark, serious, no-humor movie
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Predator: Badlands?
I liked it a lot.
Trachtenberg has pulled it off again, where he has told a story with heart, stakes, and real characters, and this is a Predator movie that will work for fans and newcomers alike.
Evidence indeed that the franchise still has a lot of potential.
Predator: Badlands Trailer
Simon Leasher
A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More
And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.
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