The New Predator Movie Is Breaking 2 Major Franchise Traditions After 38 Years (& It Shouldn’t Worry You)

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The upcoming film, Predator: Badlands, is set to significantly evolve the Predator series. Director Dan Trachtenberg, known for his work on Prey and the upcoming Predator: Killer of Killers, returns with a fresh story. This seventh installment focuses on a young Predator named Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and a synthetic human named Thia (Elle Fanning) as they face off against various threats. Early trailers showcase a stunning and imaginative world filled with unique creatures and promise exciting action. Predator: Badlands may also lay the groundwork for a future Alien vs. Predator movie, but what really sets it apart is how it breaks from the established patterns of previous films.

The new movie, Predator: Badlands, is making history as the first Predator film to receive a PG-13 rating. Unlike previous Predator movies, which were all rated R and focused on human characters, Badlands features a Predator – one of the Yautja – as the main hero. This shift could open up exciting new possibilities for the Predator universe and help the franchise gain more recognition in the science fiction world. While some fans are worried about the changes, there’s no need to be concerned that Predator: Badlands will fall short simply because it’s different from what came before.

Predator: Badlands‘ Deviation From Previous Movies Isn’t a Bad Thing

Even though Predator: Badlands is quite different from previous films, it still has a good chance of being successful. The movie’s PG-13 rating is likely due to the fact that it doesn’t feature any human characters, which is new for the Predator series. This means less realistic gore and blood, and a more moderate level of violence similar to other sci-fi adventures. While some fans are worried about the change from the franchise’s traditionally graphic violence, this new direction could actually be a positive step for the series.

The Predator franchise has been known for its violent action since the original 1987 film, but relying solely on brutality isn’t sustainable. Prey successfully combined strong storytelling with intense action, and the new film, Predator: Badlands, should follow suit by focusing more on the story. It can still deliver the exciting action fans want, but perhaps with a bit less graphic gore.

The biggest new thing in Predator: Badlands is that it centers around a Predator hero. Traditionally, the Predators have been scary villains who hunt and kill with skill, but we rarely learn much about their background. The Predator movies have always treated them as tools for the story, rather than fully developed characters, which has been a major weakness of the series. Predator: Badlands changes this by putting a Yautja in the leading role and giving us a deeper look into their life, particularly through the story of Dek and his relationship with Thia. This should create a lot of interesting storylines for viewers.

Predator: Badlands Can Change the Franchise for the Better

The Predator series had become predictable after the 2018 film, with the same story of an alien hunter arriving on Earth to kill humans. While the original Predator and Predator 2 (1990) were classics, their simple stories and special effects haven’t held up over time. Director Trachtenberg has successfully breathed new life into the franchise, proving it can evolve while still respecting what fans loved about the first movie. Predator: Badlands is especially promising, moving into fresh territory with a story focused on an android, a Yautja, and other creatures.

As a longtime fan, I have to say, Predator: Badlands feels like a really smart move for the franchise. It’s a fresh start, and honestly, a welcome one. The film isn’t afraid to do things differently – a PG-13 rating and focusing on a Yautja protagonist are bold choices that could really pay off. Sure, the violence is toned down, but what we gain in expanded lore and potential for a future Alien vs. Predator revival more than makes up for it. Early buzz is incredibly promising, and after nearly forty years and six films, shaking up the formula feels exactly right. Don’t let the changes worry you – this feels like a genuinely exciting direction for the series.

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2025-11-02 00:11