Predator: Badlands Movie Review

Released: 7th November 2025 (UK and US)

Length: 107 Minutes

Certificate: 12A

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

Starring: Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi

After taking up stewardship in 2022, Dan Trachtenberg has led the way for one of sci-fi’s most venerable creatures. With Predator: Badlands, the franchise takes its biggest leap in decades, flipping the story and characters into another standout production.

Set in the far future, we follow Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), the runt of the litter in a ruthless clan. After his brother is executed on Yautja Prime, the lone hunter is sent to the planet Genna to earn his place in the family. His target is the seemingly invincible Kalisk, but when Dek stumbles across environmental hazards, unlikely allies and Weyland-Yutani androids, his attitude and approach will change. In many ways, Predator: Badlands is the direct mirror image of Prey. It’s set hundreds of years later, removes all human characters, barrels along at top speed and the biggest change: placing a Yautja in the protagonist slot. The result is a revised formula that dives right into the Predator’s warrior culture and wraps it up in full science fiction. It’s a bold choice that gives the alien hunters more depth and development than every previous film. The driving momentum and shorter runtime keeps the action moving with one brilliant set piece after the next. For both fans and newcomers alike, the plot delivers massive entertainment.

The cast of Predator: Badlands is very small with Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi both embracing the lead roles. Their interactions are surprisingly humorous with Dek’s serious tone clashing with Thia’s more light-hearted mannerisms. Both actors are able to weave in some more thoughtful moments along the way, allowing this entry to stand apart and deliver full arcs for these non-humanoid characters. The internal conflict is simple but effective as well; Thia has her mission with the company and Dek his obsession with killing. Admittedly, Thia does have some lacklustre lines in the first act, a distraction from an otherwise tight script. The series should be careful not to veer too far into quirky dialogue in future entries. The antagonists are an omnipresent force, their directives given by automated systems. There are many clever reversals of Predator technology and while the film does hint at further expansion and crossovers, it doesn’t rush to set up sequels.

Let loose among the stars, Predator: Badlands delivers another stunning backdrop; just like its Native American counterpart, the film creates many breath-taking sights and imaginative designs for both weapons and monsters. You feel the sense of danger on Genna as razor grass blocks the way and plants release a paralysing poison. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi is in a full body suit with some CGI enhancements to the face that gives Dek a lot of character. The facial expressions, body movements and other-worldly language are all well-executed. So too is Thia who goes without legs for most of the narrative; there’s a great contrast between her more emotive eyes and the soulless gaze of her fellow androids. Some fans have raised their eyebrows at the 12A rating, but this is one release that still packs a punch. Dek battles alien creatures and synthetics with full ferocity, cutting out human bloodshed and hostile language entirely. The fight scenes are weighty and inventive with the film putting emphasis on making the most of limited resources. For the final act, Dek using the local wildlife to his advantage takes a central role; far from sanitising the piece, it’s a helpful workaround. The soundtrack also strikes out in a different direction, going for a hefty tribal choir that surrounds every battle.

At a time when many of the biggest franchises are falling short or repeating themselves, Predator is arguably the biggest exception. There’s plenty of room for both Badlands and the more visceral combat of Prey and Killer of Killers on this rapidly expanding canvas. Don’t let the age certificate or naysayers fool you; this is an awesome thrill ride that continues the franchise’s smashing resurgence.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)