Genre(s) – Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Director(s) – Dan Trachtenberg, Joshua Wassung
Writer – Micho Robert Rutare
Voice Cast – Lindsay LaVanchy, Cherami Leigh, Louis Ozawa, Rick Gonzalez, Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Damien Haas, Lauren Holt
Runtime – 90 Minutes
Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Where To Watch/Stream Killer of Killers
I thought this was going to be Predator Babies, but turns out, it’s one of the best things the franchise has coughed up in years.
I have a soft spot for Predator. Always have. Not in a “I quote it at parties and own a replica helmet” way, but in a “I’ve watched every single attempt at rebooting this thing, even the truly awful ones, and somehow I still come back hungry for more” way.
The original 1987 Predator is a masterpiece of sweaty, testosterone-dripping brilliance. I mean, Arnie literally says, “I don’t have time to bleed.” That line alone could fuel three action movies.
Predator: Killer of Killers is not only good, it’s actually kind of amazing. It takes risks, it respects the source material, and it manages to push the franchise forward in a way that doesn’t feel like it’s just cashing in on nostalgia. Trachtenberg clearly has the keys to the Predator kingdom now, and frankly, I’m fine with that. This guy gets it.
Plot Summary of Predator: Killer of Killers (Spoiler-Free)
Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology film broken into three distinct segments, each telling a self-contained story set in a different time period and location, all revolving around the central theme: what happens when a bloodthirsty alien shows up to hunt the most dangerous thing around – humans.
The first segment, The Shield, follows a Viking warrior woman named Irsa and her young son Anders. They live in a brutal, cold landscape where surviving a day is already hard enough, and then a Predator crashes the party. Let’s just say Irsa isn’t your average stay-at-home shieldmaiden.
The second, The Sword, is set in feudal Japan in 1609, featuring two estranged samurai brothers who are forced to work together when a Predator invades their peaceful, rice-farming existence. There are katanas, brotherly squabbles, and yes, a good old-fashioned showdown with intergalactic death incarnate.
The final segment, Bullet, is set during World War II. Torez, a young Latin-American man working on military aircraft, dreams of flying in the sky rather than fixing the busted birds on the ground. He gets his shot, but ends up battling something far worse than the Luftwaffe. Again, no spoilers, but the title “Bullet” is very literal.
Each story has its own style, and showcases how different cultures, eras, and people respond to the same existential threat. And in true Predator fashion, very few people walk away with all their limbs.
Predator: Killer of Killers Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Killer of Killers is a film that actually has some actual thought behind it. Something that feels like someone sat down and thought hard about how to make Predator interesting again, and they thought real hard.
All the vision here is surprisingly cohesive, especially for an anthology. There’s a clear respect for the franchise’s core ideas, such as humans being hunted, the thrill of combat, and the raw fight-or-die instinct. But what Killer of Killers adds is texture. It uses history as a playground, and Predator as the kid with the flamethrower.
The animation, first off, looks great. Not perfect, nor flawless. But it’s intentionally gritty and a little rough around the edges – which weirdly works for this franchise. It’s like a war story told through charcoal drawings and bloodstains. A couple of frames looked a bit muddy, but overall the aesthetic just fits well.
All the stories are also incredibly solid, with no weak links for me, which is very rare in anthologies. Usually, you get one banger, one okay one, and one you forget five minutes later. But all three have weight here. Irsa’s Viking rage, the samurai brotherly tension, and Torez’s transformation from underdog to sky warrior – they all felt like they actually mattered.
I especially liked how the violence was handled. And yes, it’s gruesome. There’s decapitations, explosions, and at least two scenes that made me yell, “Oh sh*t!” at the screen. But it’s never pointless. You feel the hits. And the blood doesn’t feel like a lazy substitute for drama. It’s all part of the stakes.
The voice acting though I felt was a bit of a mixed bag. Torez and Irsa were believable and actually made you care. But, a couple of background characters sounded like they were reading the script for the first time. No biggie, but I will mention it anyway.
And then there’s the bigger picture. where things are clearly setting things up with that ending. There’s a nod – well, more like a “HEY LOOK” wink – to setting something special up, and it actually made me excited for what’s coming next. This might be the start of something. A shared Predator-verse that doesn’t suck? We’ll see.
Predator: Killer of Killers is smart without being smug, brutal without being empty, and surprisingly emotional for a franchise that once featured a handshake with the force of a small earthquake.
8.0 out of 10 from me. Would hunt again.
What I liked (And What I Didn’t like)
Pros
The Animation Style
The gritty, textured look wasn’t just eye candy – it felt right. It matched the violence, the tone, and the raw survivalist vibe of each story. It made the dirt look dirty, the blood look sticky, and the world feel lived in.
Cohesive Storytelling Across Time Periods
Even though it jumps from Vikings to samurai to World War II, the theme never gets lost. Survival, honor, and desperation – it all ties together with the Predator as the deadly common thread.
Character Writing That Didn’t Suck
All three main leads felt very real. They had motivations beyond “I want to live” – although, that’s a pretty solid one too. These are characters you actually care about.
Pacing (Mostly)
Except for a slow middle in the Japan segment, the film moves at a good clip. It doesn’t drag or waste time explaining stuff we already know – like, yes, the Predator is here to kill you, run.
Brutality With Purpose
The gore wasn’t just used as shock value. It all felt earned. Like, if someone got split in half by a laser blade, it was because the story had built to that moment, not because someone thought it’d be “cool.”
The Sound Design
The mix of silence, predator clicks, and crunching bones was gloriously gross and effective.
Cons
Some Voice Work Was Stiff
You could hear the “reading off the script” in some lines. It didn’t ruin it at all, and yes I am being a bit fussy, but still.
Not Enough Predator POV Moments
Some of the best bits in earlier films showed us how the Predator viewed the world. I wanted more of that alien tech perspective. But maybe that is just a me thing?
The Transition Between Stories Felt Abrupt
A short narration or intro between segments would’ve helped smooth things out a bit more in these bits. It went from one to the next without much breathing room.
Who might like Predator: Killer of Killers
If you’re someone who yells “GET TO THE CHOPPA” at inappropriate times, you should watch this. And for fans of the Predator franchise who felt burned by The Predator (2018) and cautiously optimistic after Prey will be jumping up and down with joy after watching this…Probably.
Also, if you like some historical action with a supernatural twist – Vikings, samurai, and war movies all mashed up with sci-fi horror., you’ll dig this. It’s for people who want their animation bloody, their characters tough, and their nostalgia smartly updated.
Who might dislike Predator: Killer of Killers
If you’re not into gore or if the idea of animated decapitations makes you squeamish, probably skip this one. It’s not for the faint of heart. And some people might find the anthology format a bit too jumpy as well.
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Predator: Killer of Killers?
Predator: Killer of Killers is the kind of risk that franchises should be taking more often. It’s bold, weird, and confident enough to not over-explain itself. It gives us some bloody, distinct tales that respect the source material and even elevate it in some ways.
For me, it’s a 8.0/10, as mentioned above. It hit me right in the nostalgic, blood-soaked gut. If this is where the franchise is headed, I’m all in. Just don’t ever let it fall back into the hands of whoever made The Predator (2018).
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