Predator: Badlands First Reactions Call New Sequel a “Badass Expansion” and a First in Science Fiction

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The Predator franchise, after a rocky history, finally seems to be on the right track. While the original films in 1987 and 1990 were successful, subsequent movies struggled with both critics and at the box office. Although 2010’s Predators has a dedicated fanbase, it didn’t revitalize the series, and it followed two poorly received Alien vs. Predator crossovers. Despite the disappointing reception of The Predator, the franchise has made a significant comeback with 2022’s Prey and this summer’s Predator: Killer of Killers. As a result, excitement is building for the next installment, Predator: Badlands.

The new Predator movie, Badlands, premiered last night, and early reactions are positive. While it won’t be available worldwide until next week, some viewers have already seen the full film. Director Dan Trachtenberg appears to have surprised and pleased fans, just as he did with his previous work in the franchise. Although some footage was shown at Comic-Con earlier this year, this was the first full reveal of the movie.

Predator: Badlands Reactions Praise Sequel as Sci-fi Epic, But the Weakest of New Movies

I’m incredibly excited for Predator: Badlands! What really sets it apart, and what director Trachtenberg has emphasized, is that it’s a completely new take on the Predator story. For the first time ever, we’re not following a human trying to escape the Predator – we’re seeing things from his perspective! He’s the one struggling to survive, and we’re right there with him. Trachtenberg even believes this is groundbreaking for the sci-fi genre as a whole, making the Predator the central character and letting us experience the story through his eyes.

Viewers familiar with Dan Trachtenberg’s earlier Predator films have pointed out that his newest movie stays true to his style while also offering some unexpected twists. One Twitter user, @LuminousDagger, praised PREDATOR: BADLANDS, calling Trachtenberg a leader in the Predator franchise and noting his ability to evolve the series from a simple action-horror to a more imaginative sci-fi and fantasy experience.

Josh Barton from BartonReviews praised the film as a strong addition to the Predator series, though he also felt it wasn’t director Trachtenberg’s best work in the franchise. He highlighted the film’s intense action, but pointed out that its comedic elements didn’t always land successfully.

Phil Roberts from Future Of The Force offered a more cautious review, suggesting longtime Predator fans might need to reconsider their expectations. He described the film as more of a science fiction epic than a typical Predator movie, noting it takes risks that don’t always succeed, and that established fans might be disappointed. Neil Vlagg echoed this sentiment, calling it a large-scale, entertaining spectacle. While dedicated fans might have trouble with the changes, he believes there’s plenty to enjoy for viewers open to a new direction.

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2025-10-28 18:32