Predator Badlands Movie Review

Dan Trachtenberg continues to shepherd this franchise in exciting and new directions in this Predator focused installment.

Cast out from his clan, a young Predator finds an unlikely ally in a damaged android and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. Dan Trachtenberg takes a huge swing with the Predator franchise and in my opinion knocks it out of the park for the 3^rd time in a row with Prey, Killer of Killers, and now Badlands which takes the beloved monster and makes him the protagonist of the film which could have gone wrong in so many ways but doesn’t is such a satisfying feeling walking out of the theater.

Dan Trachtenberg has such beautifully deft direction in this film the way he can make you feel for Dek who the Predator is we are following in this story is impressive because we have never seen a Predator express emotion like this before from anger, frustration, and a care for others is amazing to watch. The action in the film is thrilling, violent and because there are no humans in this film that means no red blood which makes this film pg-13 but that doesn’t mean the film is any less violent it just reminds you how stupid the rating system is. I love how Trachtenberg moves the camera for the action scenes like when Dek Frees Thia around poisoned plants it’s so white knuckled and exciting.

The acting in the film is fantastic staring with Elle Fanning playing dual roles as synth sisters Thia who is the innocent naïve one who is funny, badass, and empathetic that gets Dek to question why he is doing what he is doing and why which is such an great dynamic that Fanning is able to create this buddy duo with the predator. Tessa who is the sterner corporate one of the two she has a great deadpan delivery that you feel like she has never cared for her sister and has felt she is a burden which to me is a commentary on how corporate culture can make people sacrifice their humanity to get ahead which is awesome for a film like this which thematically ties to the original film with Dylan. Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi as Dek is phenomenal in this film he can emote, react, play comedic moments in unexpected ways in certain scenes like when they are sitting around a campfire is hilarious and heartwarming.

The CGI, cinematography, and the score are all top notch the CG looks seamless which is an accomplishment considering how MCU movies outside of Fantastic Four have looked horrible with no detail or craftsmanship. The film is beautifully shot they pull you in and emersed you in the world of this predator and make the action sequences thrilling to watch. The score is great it has echoes of OG film but also goes in different directions to form its own identity that is memorable not only in the film but listening to separately.

Final thoughts is this is one of my favorite films of 2025 a franchise film that takes a huge risk that actually pays off which is so exciting for me please go see it when you can I will give a 4 and a half out of 5.