Predator Badlands – REVIEW

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The initial Predator movies were successful thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s popularity, but the series gradually declined, reaching a low point with the 2018 film and appearing to be finished. However, writer-director Dan Trachtenberg successfully revived the franchise with ‘Prey’ (2022). He cleverly reset the story, placing the Predator in a Native American setting and challenging it with a female protagonist. While ‘Prey’ was highly praised, many fans were disappointed it was released on streaming instead of in theaters – a release it truly deserved. Thankfully, its success has led to a follow-up, ‘Predator: Badlands,’ which will be released in the immersive IMAX format.

Similar to his previous work on Killer of Killers, director Trachtenberg has reimagined the Predator in a new setting – a future world on another planet. We’re introduced to Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) amidst an intense fight with another Predator, but this battle is actually a trial to determine if he’s worthy to join his group of hunters. Unfortunately, his father deems him unfit, publicly shaming Dek and bringing dishonor to the clan. Reports that Prince Harry was considered for the role of Dek are false.

Dek flees his father, narrowly escaping death, and lands on a perilous planet filled with dangerous creatures – it’s a truly hostile world. There, he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a cyborg who has lost her legs and relies on him to carry her. They team up, hoping to help each other, a concept reflected in the film’s original title, ‘Backpack’. Thia has been waiting for her sister, Tessa, another cyborg, to rescue her, but no help has arrived, making Dek her potential last hope.

Dek is determined to prove himself to his father by hunting down and retrieving the head of a Kalisk, a fearsome and legendary beast. However, he quickly realizes this will be far more difficult than he imagined. The Kalisk is the planet’s most dangerous predator, rumored to be invincible, and Dek is more likely to become its trophy than to succeed in his hunt. Desperate, he reluctantly teams up with Thia, offering to help her in exchange for her knowledge of the planet and its creatures.

Okay, so this isn’t just another movie about monsters fighting. As the trailers teased, there’s a really interesting connection to the original ‘Alien’ film. It turns out Thia is linked to Weyland-Yutani – you know, the company that created Ash, Ian Holm’s character from the 1979 movie? They’ve been pulling strings in every ‘Alien’ film since, and they’re seriously shady. ‘Predator: Badlands’ seems to be hinting at where the whole franchise is going, and honestly, it’s a pretty exciting direction!

The story, created by Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison, should attract many viewers, though it does have some drawbacks. A silly little monster might annoy dedicated fans, as it risks becoming as irritating as Jar-Jar Binks. While Dek’s serious personality is nicely offset by Thia’s optimistic attitude, adding some brightness to the film’s dark themes, the intense monster battles the plot requires remain as brutal as those in earlier movies.

Despite its flaws, Elle Fanning’s captivating performance helps us see the Predator from a new perspective. The creature designs are imaginative, and the action sequences are exciting, making much of Predator: Badlands genuinely enjoyable. The story also creates enough mystery to leave you curious about the future of the franchise and how it might incorporate another well-known alien species.

Dan Trachtenberg, Elle Fanning, and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi attended the world premiere in London.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZzpoUTmq4U

Here’s the Predator Badlands trailer…..

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2025-11-04 20:24