Taking the helm for the third time, Dan Trachtenberg returns to the Predator franchise with Predator Badlands. Serving as a standalone instalment in the Predator series, Predator Badlands follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), an outcast Yautja who wants to make his father proud and be part of their clan. To do so, Dek accepts the impossible by hunting down a creature known as the Kalisk, known as the unkillable apex predator on the planet Genna. When Dek finds a Weyland-Yutani Synthetic named Thia (Elle Fanning), she joins him on his mission to hunt the Kalisk and bring home the trophy to his planet Yautja.
Dan Trachtenberg switches the Predator film formula by making Dek the first Predator protagonist in the franchise. It is a smart choice because there is a lot you can do to add character as opposed to solely having the species as a lethal one-sided character. Both Trachtenberg and writer Patrick Aison, who too is returning to team up since Prey, allow development to Dek and build him as someone who just wants to make his name and fit in within the family. Fanning’s whimsy deadpan humour Thia is a fun addition to the film’s adventure and evens out Dek’s serious groggy personality. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi and Elle Fanning have good chemistry as Dek and Thia. The counterbalance of having a serious Yautja who is dead set on completing his mission and a deadpan Synthetic who accompanies him with her humour and whimsy personality.
Thankfully, Badlands doesn’t shoehorn the connection to the Aliens franchise down your throats. While it is great to have the established connection between two well known sci-fi franchises, there isn’t a need to remind audiences that another franchise exists nonstop. The only connection is the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, and it was the best decision to keep it like that without feeling overstuffed. Those hoping for a Xenomorph tease will be disappointed.
The planet setting of Genna showcases both the film’s strength and weakness. The open wilderness of the planet provides a lot of mystery to what dangers are, however, the obstacles Dek and Thia encounter are easily overcome and audiences don’t fully grasp the dangers. There isn’t much at stake when easily the duo can overcome the obstacles once they figure out quickly how to do so. Sure, one can argue quickly thinking on the spot makes the sequence go by faster and its intention. And while I do agree to an extent, the quick 5-minute obstacle seemed so easily accomplished that it takes away suspense.
The tone difference compared to the previous instalment will throw people off. While they had some humour, they were still more heavily focused on action and suspense. While I myself didn’t mind the tone change, I understand how it won’t be for everyone. Even with the film being the first PG-13 rating in the series, it doesn’t shy away from attempting to push the envelope of the rating. Dan Trachtenberg is still able to showcase some good action violence despite the rating, and can get away with the weird MPA rule of not having human blood warrant a lesser rating.
Predator: Badlands is a fun standalone addition to the long-running franchise. One of the less suspenseful and serious instalments that won’t be for everyone. If you are looking for a buddy trip type movie, this is for you. I look forward to more Predator films directed by Trachtenberg.
Watch the trailer right here.
All images via 20th Century Studios.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Screenplay by Patrick Aison, from characters created by Jim Thomas and John Thomas
Produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Ben Rosenblatt, Marc Toberoff, Brent O’Connor
Starring Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi
Premiere Date: November 3, 2025
Running Time: 107 minutes
Cinema from the Spectrum 
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