“Predator: Badlands” follows an alien hunter who, after being cast out from its clan, embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
If you would have said that a Yautja would have one of the most emotional character arcs of 2025, I would’ve said you were foolish. Well… turns out that I may be the wild one.
“Predator: Badlands” does the unthinkable. It truly makes you care about Dek (Dimitrius Koloamatangi). Going from lone wolf to alpha, the film does everything imaginable to make the audience invested in its story.
This is what allows “Predator: Badlands” to separate itself from the rest of the franchise. It dives into themes such as grief, identity and friendship – in surprisingly meaningful ways. Much of the development is surface level, but there are times when the film really pushes boundaries.
A Predator With Purpose
By putting its focus on a specific Yautja, the movie finds its own identity. Exploring the core dynamics of the species alongside a fascinating world around them, “Predator: Badlands” pushes the needle both in terms of sci-fi and action. It’s jam-packed with new lore, creative visuals and immersive choreography.
“Predator: Badlands” puts the audience right in the middle of the action – every time. Similar to “Kong: Skull Island,” it takes a classic creature and pits it against… well, other cool monsters.
That really is the simplest word to describe “Predator: Badlands” – cool.
With each new action sequence, it brings something different to the table. Director Dan Trachtenberg and cinematographer Jeff Cutter unleash a barrage of kinetic moments that fans of the series will love. They utilize close-ups, slow motion and camera movements that follow the Predator’s every step. Even as the fight scenes pile up, “Predator: Badlands” never loses its mojo.
Action, Visuals and… Humans
There is a lot of CGI on display – and it mostly works. With a film that constantly relies on visual effects in virtually every aspect, there are bound to be blips. Luckily, here, they are few and far between. Once you settle into the visual style, the imagery becomes quite striking.
This Predator may not be as menacing or terrifying as past iterations, but it still works. For this specific story, the design choice makes sense.
Surprisingly – or maybe not – the film is better before the “human” characters get involved. The opening 30 minutes is some of the best filmmaking of 2025. It immediately sets the tone with a pulsating score, hypnotic visuals and a quick emotional gut punch.
After the title card lands, however, “Predator: Badlands” becomes something more generic – briefly. Once Thia (Elle Fanning) is introduced, the film loses some steam.
This is largely due to the drastic differences between her and Dek. As soon as constant dialogue begins to flow, the film becomes less interesting. After a short period of time, it does regain its footing. Fanning eventually shines, bringing subtle emotion and a charismatic balance to the screen.
A Strong Step Forward for the Franchise
At 107 minutes, the film flies by… mostly. The middle act falters, but the final 30 minutes make up for it with non-stop chaos.
“Predator: Badlands” doesn’t completely stick the landing, though. Parts of the conclusion feel rushed, with little room to linger on major moments. Eventually, the film begins to hit the expected beats for a tidy wrap-up.
An unexpectedly emotional and action-packed sci-fi experience, “Predator: Badlands” is another step in the right direction for the franchise. In fact, it’s one of the best movies in the series.
Rating: 4 out of 5
