Read this review to find out if Predator: Badlands is worth watching.

About Predator: Badlands

• • Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
  • Written by Patrick Aison
  • Synopsis: “’Predator: Badlands,’ which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
  • Release date: November 7, 2025
  • Starring: Elle Fanning, Cameron Brown, Reuben de Jong, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Stefan Grube, Michael Homik, Rohinal Nayaran, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, and Alison Wright

The movie opens on the home planet of the Yautja. That’s the name of the alien hunter race in the original 1987 film. Except for his brother Kwei (Mike Homik), the other “Yautja” aliens undervalue and despise Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), who is regarded as the “runt” of his Predator tribe. Reuben De Jong plays their enormous, towering Predator father, who believes Dek is weak. Furthermore, vulnerability is not tolerated by predators. He goes to the planet Gemma, known as the Death Planet, looking to kill the unkillable creature known as “The Kalisk.” The young Predator hopes this will earn him the respect of his father and the clan.

While there, he meets Elle Fanning as an impossibly cheerful android named Thia. The only problem is that her torso was torn off after fighting the creature. She needs him to carry her, and he needs her to find the beast. Together with a cute little alien she names “Bud,” they trek off to look for the monster.

Main Characters and Acting

Fanning also plays an identical robot named Tessa. Like all of the other Weyland-Yutani robots, she’s programmed to serve the company over all else. That includes her “sister.” The actress does an amazing job playing both the boisterous Thia and sneering Tessa. Dek does an admirable job playing the ambitious young alien who only communicates in his alien language and wears a CGI face. Like the late Kevin Peter Hall, his eyes and body language do most of the work. The only other acting is done by Cameron Brown, who plays the dozens of nameless, emotionless synthetic security drones on the planet.

Themes and Emotional Tones

Throughout the film, Dek and Tessa have to learn to trust and depend on one another. Throughout their trials on the planet, they develop a bond and even risk their lives for one another. The three become a twisted version of The Odd Couple mixed with Fast and Furious. Most of the runtime is taken up by impressive action set pieces. It is a Predator movie, and there are tons of raw and bloody action scenes. At least there would be blood if it weren’t featuring aliens fighting robots.

Visuals & Technical Elements

This is Dan Trachtenberg’s third Predator project after 2022’s inventive prequel Prey and this year’s animated anthology Killer of Killers. Badlands relies on a well-done mix of practical and CGI effects, helping to build a realistic world. The creature designs are inventive, although they lack a cohesive design like Avatar does. Cinematographer
Jeff Cutter builds the same canvas he worked on with Prey and 10 Cloverfield Lane. Patrick Aison writes a tight and effective script. There aren’t any standout scenes that don’t involve action, but the pacing is well-done.

Strengths

Although it features revenge-driven themes and creature violence, the film functions as a screwball comedy, reminiscent of classic films like “It Happened One Night.” Directed by Trachtenberg, the movie showcases B-movie tropes while maintaining captivating energy and invention.

Weaknesses

The overall tone of “Badlands” is fun and engaging, marking it as a noteworthy entry in the series while lacking a lasting impact. Because of the lighthearted tone, the scenes that are supposed to be moving fall flat.

Overall: Watch Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands” effectively blends humor and action, revitalizing the franchise without taking itself too seriously. The film is a light weekend watch, exemplifying enjoyment in chaotic sci-fi, comedy, and action. It’s a fun flick so I’m giving Predator: Badlands 4 out of 5 stars

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