Predator: Badlands (2025) Movie Review

Predator: Badlands (2025) Movie Review: A Worthy New Hunt

We had high hopes that Predator: Badlands would be another win for the franchise with Dan Trachtenberg at the helm. There’s no denying that he has the talent, knowledge, and passion to deliver new, exhilarating, and surprisingly deep experiences within this action-heavy series. And while Predator: Badlands lands some strong blows, it also misses a few key marks.

Set in the future, the film follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Predator deemed the runt of his clan. When his father declares him unworthy to live, Dek escapes and vows to prove himself by hunting the deadliest prey on the most dangerous planet. There, he forms an unlikely alliance with Thia (Elle Fanning), a severed robot who helps him navigate and survive the hostile world.

Choosing to make Predator: Badlands a standalone story (as with Trachtenberg’s Prey and Killer of Killers) is a smart move. It makes the film accessible for newcomers while still satisfying longtime fans with its familiar intensity. The action and gore are top-notch, and don’t let the non-R rating fool you. The film finds clever ways to deliver brutal, creative kills without involving human casualties (focusing on aliens and synthetics) which is a brilliant workaround that still feels satisfyingly bad-ass, violent, and gory.

However, the first half struggles with pacing. The slow buildup had us feeling a bit sleepy if we're being honest and the overall story beats fall into predictable rhythm. Despite this, Dek and Thia’s bond grounds the narrative emotionally, surprising us with how invested we became in these two non-human characters. Most importantly, by centering the Predator as the protagonist, Predator: Badlands adds fascinating new depth to the lore, giving us a perspective that feels fresh and relatable. While not Trachtenberg’s best, Predator: Badlands still ranks among the stronger entries in the series. It’s bold, visually gripping, and carries just enough heart beneath all the armor to make the hunt worth it.

Rating: 3 and a half reels