I think even the most ardent Predator fan would have to admit that the franchise was beginning to get a little stale. When even a legend like Shane Black couldn’t inject some life into the series with The Predator (2018), you knew there were problems.
Thankfully along came Dan Trachenberg to give things a much needed jolt. Having proved his mettle with the excellent 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), Trachenberg took things back to basics with Prey (2022), giving us one of the franchise’s most memorable entries.
Setting his tale back in the 1700s was a masterstroke, giving us a more primitive version of the Yautja/Predator which added to the unique feel of the film, while Trachenberg made sure to give us characters we could truly care about whilst not skimping on the violent action.
Whilst Prey was made for streaming platform Hulu, it went on to be a great success, with many heralding it as the best entry in the franchise since the original. Although I don’t fully agree with this statement (I am very fond of Predator 2, and I don’t care who disagrees), Prey is definitely well up there in terms of quality and really should have been given a proper cinema release. It shows the real quality of the film that even a streaming release couldn’t diminish its success.
Luckily Trachenberg has decided to stay with the franchise. He followed up Prey with the surprising Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), an animated feature that came as a surprise to most, with Trachenberg directing it in secret. Unlike other Predator movies, this was an anthology with 3 stories set in different time periods. With its distinctive animation style, gory action and quality voice acting, Killer of Killers was yet another winner for Trachenberg and further proof that the franchise was in the right hands.
Now comes Trachenberg’s latest, Predator: Badlands, with the big question being, is third time the charm? I’m happy to say it is. Badlands may not be as iconic as Prey but its still a top tier entry into the franchise.
Trachenberg once again takes the franchise in an unexpected route, with this being the first entry to feature the Yautja as its main protagonist. The closest we have come to this previously is in Paul WS Anderson’s Alien Vs Predator (2004) which has a Yautja team up with that film’s lead Sanaa Lathan, however I’m not really classing that as part of the main Predator franchise. Not only because its plot isn’t canon, but also because it’s shit.
The change in perspective makes this latest entry truly standout. Like James Cameron did all those years back with Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), Trachenberg has taken one of Hollywood’s most memorable villains and turned him into a hero you will find yourself rooting for.
The main focus of the film is young Yautja Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), whose father Njohrr (Reuben de Jong) sees him as the runt of the clan, and a major embarrassment. Because of this, Dek decides to travel to the planet Genna in order to slay apex predator The Kalisk, with this hopefully gaining the approval of his father. Unbeknownst to Dek, Njohrr has decided that Dek is too weak and the only way for him to honor the clan is for him to be executed at the hands of his own brother Kwei (Mike Homik). Defying their father, Kwei instead frees Dek and activates his ship to take him to Genna, but not before Dek witnesses him execute his brother.
Crashlanding on Genna, it doesn’t take Dek long to realise how dangerous the planet is, with him being attacked by either the inhabitants of Genna or the plant life. Everything here seems to be looking to kill him. As he traverses the environment he comes across damaged synthetic Thia (Elle Fanning). Thia who is the property of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, was damaged along with her team while they were attempting to capture the Kalisk. Thia makes a deal with Dek that if he helps her that she will aid him in finding the Kalisk.
At the same time Thia’s “sister” Tessa (also Elle Fanning), who was also damaged by the Kalisk, is reactivated and tasked with finding Thia and Dek. As the film progresses we begin to find out the real reason Weyland-Yutani are so interested in the Kalisk and how this will put them on a confrontation course with Dek.
There will no doubt be some complaints about Disney’s involvement, with them seemingly the reason behind the film being PG-13. In reality, the reason the age rating is lower than expected is more due to none of the violence being carried out is on human characters. In fact, there is not one human character present during the duration of Badlands, with the characters being made up of either aliens or synthetics. There is still plenty of action and violence on show, just that the color of blood shown is either green or white.
I do find it ironic that many people assume that with Disney’s involvement that a film will be dumbed down or made kid friendly, seemingly forgetting they were also involved in the production of both Prey and Killer of Killers, both of which don’t shy away from violence. Even overlooking this fact, it’s not like Disney haven’t been involved in more adult fare in the past, producing action classics like The Rock (1995), Con Air (1997) and Face/Off (1997). Sure, these may have been under subsidiaries (like Badlands), but it proves they can make more adult orientated entertainment when it suits them.
Admittedly, at one point during Badlands even I thought that the franchise was being softened with what initially seems like the introduction of a cutesy sidekick, but this is further developed and plays an important part in the plot as the film develops.
One refreshing aspect from making the Yautja the protagonist is that Trachenberg can jump straight into the plot. One of the main problems with previous Predator movies is that each entry typically features a cast of new characters, meaning that time has to be spent on re-introducing the Predator and then coming to the realization of what they are up against. With Badlands there is no need for this, with us quickly being introduced to our lead character then swiftly onto his journey. Of course, you could argue that there is a lack of character development, but even Dek goes through quite a change during the film, becoming less self centered and only interested in the hunt.
Ironically, with the film having no human characters, Elle Fanning’s Thia is full of life, with her enthusiastic personality making for an amusing counterpoint to Dek’s stoic hunter. Fanning is wonderful here, getting to further show her versatility with the introduction of Tessa, who is the polar opposite of the bright and friendly Thia. Tessa is very much in the same mold as Ash from Alien (1979) or Prometheus’ (2012) David, with them being coldly immoral.
Having Fanning’s Thia and Tessa being products of Weyland-Yutani is a nice touch, tying the Predator and Alien franchises together once again. It is more subtle than the aforementioned Alien Vs Predator but at the same time teases what could come in the future.
Fanning makes for both a great hero and villain. Her scenes with Schuster-Koloamatangi’s Dek truly bring the film to life and inject some much needed humor into the film. As great as Prey and King of Killers were, funny isn’t a description you could label them with.
Trachenberg has stated in interviews how he was inspired by the likes of Mad Max 2 (1981), Conan the Barbarian (1982) and the works of Frank Frazetta to name just a few. This is clearly evident whilst watching the film, with the opening sequences emulating the cold, desolate future of Mad Max 2 and with Dek almost being a Yautja version of Conan. Visually you can also see the influence of Frazetta, with some shots being reminiscent of cult classic Fire and Ice (1983), which Frazetta created along with visionary animator Ralph Bakshi.Â
Obviously, there are other influences, ranging from various Westerns to call backs to previous Predator movies. Some of the dialogue even had me thinking about John Woo’s Hard Target (1993), with both films featuring a hero having to put their skills and training to use against a team of hunters.
Tratchenberg had previously spoken of how he had further plans for the Predator series depending on Badlands’ success. He leaves the film tantalizingly open that anything is possible to follow. There has already been talk of Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as Dutch in some capacity, but to be honest as long as the next installment is of the same quality as this I will be happy.
Plot: 4/5
Acting: 4/5
Action: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
