Predator: Badlands Teases An Exciting New Element Of Predator Culture To Explore

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Be warned – spoilers ahead for Predator: Badlands! One of the most compelling aspects of Dan Trachtenberg’s new sci-fi action film was the small peek it gave us into the larger world of the Yautja, the alien race known as Predators. Throughout the entire Predator series, we’ve slowly learned about the fierce, warrior-based culture that motivates these hunters and drives their centuries-long tradition of pursuing worthy prey.

Although the Predator universe has been expanded through comics, novels, and video games, the movies haven’t shown us much about how Predators interact within their own society. The beginning of Predator: Badlands offers perhaps the most direct glimpse yet of how brutal their culture can be: Dek’s father was willing to kill him – and even sent his brother to finish the job – because he thought Dek wasn’t strong enough.

Even though Dek’s father seemed ruthless, he might not be the biggest threat within his Yautja clan. The ending of Predator: Badlands hints at a previously unseen and potentially very dangerous aspect of Yautja culture, which could significantly change the future of the Predator series.

Predator: Badlands Teases The Introduction Of Female Yautja

Dek proved his strength and worth to the clan by defeating his father. While it seemed like the other clan members were acknowledging his victory, they were actually watching a Yautja ship descend towards Dek.

Dek surprises his robotic partner, Thia, by identifying the ship as belonging to his mother. The reactions of Dek and the other warriors suggest she’s a powerful and respected figure within their clan. If she appears in a future Predator film, she would be the first female Yautja ever shown on screen.

Although a direct follow-up to Predator: Badlands isn’t planned right now, the story might involve Dek’s mother if a sequel happens. Her arrival right after Dek kills his father suggests she’s a powerful figure within the Yautja clan – a detail that fits with established Predator lore and their culture.

A Female Yautja May Change Everything We Know About Predator Culture

Though details vary across different stories, female Yautja (Predators) are often depicted as physically and mentally stronger than males. Unlike male Predators who often hunt with a sense of sport, females are usually portrayed as ruthlessly efficient, relying on their greater speed, size, and agility to quickly defeat their enemies.

Some stories suggest that the Yautja, or Predators, are actually led by women, with female leaders holding the true power. The movie Predator: Badlands offers a clue to this possibility, showing that Dek’s mother is clearly respected and even feared by her son and the rest of their clan, hinting that this could be the case in the current set of Predator films.

If this is true, it completely changes our understanding of the Predators we’ve seen in films. Even the oldest and strongest Predators, like Greyback from Predator 2, might seem weak compared to female Predators. While it previously seemed impossible for a female Yautja to defeat the larger Super Predators from the 2010 film Predators or the incredibly dangerous Grendel King from Predator: Killer of Killers, it’s now possible that this could happen, and it’s something the story could explore.

A Female Yautja Story Could Be Dan Trachtenberg’s Mysterious Third Predator Idea

I recently spoke with Dan Trachtenberg about Predator: Badlands, and he admitted the future of the Predator series isn’t entirely mapped out. But he did let slip that he and his team are cooking up another project they’re really enthusiastic about, something they were already planning alongside the potential success of the 2025 films. It sounds like they have big plans!

After finishing Prey, I had a bunch of ideas swirling around – Badlands, Killer Killers, and another project I was really excited about. Honestly, the thought of diving into that third idea is what I’m most thrilled about right now.

While promoting Badlands, director Trachtenberg has hinted he’s excited to start working on a third film. He hasn’t revealed any specifics, but says it will explore the Predator universe in a completely fresh way. The idea of a female Predator could be the new concept he’s been talking about.

Because his third Predator film was being developed alongside Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands, it’s likely they’re all connected. Director Trachtenberg previously linked Prey to the animated anthology with a post-credits scene in Killer of Killers, so the hint at the end of Predator: Badlands could be setting up his next movie.

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2025-11-11 06:09