Predator: Badlands was easily one of my most anticipated films of the year. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, it stars Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, and more. I’ve covered this franchise for years and I’ve always had a soft spot for both the Alien and Predator worlds, even when some entries stumble. Lately, we’ve been eating pretty well. Prey reset the board in a smart way, and the animated anthology Killer of Killers expanded the Yautja lore in cool directions. With Badlands, Trachtenberg takes another big swing and it feels different from anything else in the series, including his own work.
The story centers on a young Yautja named Dek, the runt of his clan, who is sent to the hostile planet Genna to prove himself. There he crosses paths with Thea, a damaged Weyland-Yutani synthetic, and the two end up on a brutal trek across dangerous terrain. There is also a revenge thread running under the surface that gives Dek something personal to fight for.
I really enjoyed this movie. I love sci-fi and fantasy, so the alien planet setting, the creature threats, and the big-scale action already had me leaning forward. What sold me is how fresh it feels inside this franchise. It is not reinventing the genre, but within Predator it brings a new flavor. Making a Yautja the lead flips the dynamic in a fun way. You are not just surviving the Predator this time. You are with him, learning the clan culture, seeing how the weak are treated, and why Dek needs to prove himself. That angle gives the film its own identity.
Elle Fanning is a big reason the movie works. Thea is more talkative and lively than most synthetics we have seen across the Alien timeline, and there is an in-story reason for that. At first it threw me off, but the bond between Dek and Thea becomes a genuine highlight. It is that classic tough hero with the chatty partner dynamic. Simple, but it works. Fanning’s dual role adds some texture too. The motion-capture performance for Dek reads well on screen and the little companion creature they pick up is surprisingly charming. I am a sucker for a good little creature when it is done right, and it adds some personality without derailing the tone.
Action-wise, this is crowd-pleasing popcorn entertainment. The set pieces are clean, the choreography is readable, and the IMAX presentation really helped. Trachtenberg clearly loves this sandbox. Each of his Predator projects looks, moves, and feels distinct, and he still respects the lore and visual language fans expect.
Tone will be the divider. This leans more action adventure with a sprinkle of comedy than thriller or horror. I can see purists wanting something grimmer. The other obvious flag is the CG. This is the most CG-forward live-action Predator to date. Dek’s face is often augmented to carry more emotion and the big beats go for spectacle. If you prefer the fully practical mask and a gnarlier, grounded look, the digital sheen here may bug you.
There are also a few rushed story beats and conveniences. Nothing that breaks the movie, but you feel them. I also hoped the Weyland-Yutani inclusion would tie more directly into broader Alien connections. Here it is mostly synthetics and flavor. Fun to see, but do not expect a big crossover punch.
This is a fun, fast, sci-fi romp that knows what it is. It honors the franchise while doing something new. It is lighter in tone, more emotive with its Predator lead, and more willing to play with companionship and humor. It also leaves the door open for a sequel in a way I would gladly follow. Some fans will bounce off the CG and the tonal shift. Others, especially those open to variety inside this universe, will have a blast.
Not a reinvention of the genre, but a lively, distinct entry for this series. Big, glossy action. A lead Yautja you can actually root for. A surprisingly engaging Predator and synthetic duo. A few rough patches in the script and a heavier digital look, but I still walked out smiling. I think most Predator fans will have a good time with Badlands, and I am absolutely down to see where this version of the story goes next.
Rating: 8/10