Predator: Badlands nails its place in the series pantheon through exciting action, a “death is guaranteed” world-building, and even a score that captures the emotional peaks and valleys, drawing audiences in.
Predator: Badlands is fierce fun and a coming-of-age story set in a world and culture that values strength above all. In that vein, it’s similar to Prey, where someone fights to prove their value. But it flips to the overpowered villain’s viewpoint. However, the film establishes the difference early on. So it’s a familiar story—the outcast of a society, but told within a fantastical world. Predator: Badlands nails its place in the series pantheon through exciting action, a “death is guaranteed” world-building, and even a score that captures the emotional peaks and valleys, drawing audiences in.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers) and written by Patrick Aison (Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers), based on characters created by Jim Thomas and John Thomas, the film centers on the perspective of a young Predator, named Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (The Panthers, Far North). Next, rounding out the main cast is Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value, A Complete Unknown), playing dual roles, the main one as the synth Thia, who is missing her lower body, and an adorable monkey-like creature, dubbed Bud, voiced by Rohinal Nayaran. They gave the series’ villain a hero’s journey!
Predator: Badlands Steps Into Uncharted Territory
Previous films with the franchise, though dates and locations change, focus on the humans’ home turf: Earth. Here, not only does the planet change, but so does the focal point. As such, Predator: Badlands builds up and expands on the culture around Predators. Plus, the world of this villain is one where Predators cull the weak. So, outcast Dek teams up with a synthetic android (a staple in the Aliens franchise), Thia, in his quest to slay a large monster—one that it seems no Predator has managed to defeat.
Think 300 meets Up. Seriously. Plus, the synth gives Doug energy. So it’s easy to imagine her saying, “I have just met you and I love you.” As unlikely as the combination sounds, it works, and it’s so much better. In addition, the pair’s chemistry creates a hilarious balance of emotion and surprising laughs as talkative Thia meets taciturn Dek. So their trek is a world of discovery for Dek and audiences alike, making for the most exciting tales.
Dynamic Cast Complement Each Other
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi does fantastically as Dek, humanizing an alien. But there’s also a hint of teenage angst, a bravado that conceals hurt through a veneer of brusque dialogue. Elle Fanning plays the counterpoint to that masterfully, becoming a near never-ending stream of conversation. So their banter and physicality play off each other, building an unforeseen rapport. It’s as entertaining as looking at what this new world has in store around the next bend.
Predator: Badlands cements that Dan Trachtenberg knows what works for the series and for moviegoers, blending action-packed entertainment with a genuine human (or Predator) story. Also the score is one of the most immersive, pulling audiences emotionally alongside the characters. Given the history of the series, except for the first Alien vs. Predator, there was no “teamwork makes the dream work.” But the film changes the possibilities for the story, the monster, and what we as an audience get to dive into. Predator: Badlands builds anticipation for what’s next while delivering action, fun, and a message to find the ones who understand your freak.
