By Maalik Hawkins
Trinity Times Movie Reviewer
“Predator: Badlands,” directed by Dan Trachtenberg (known for 10 Cloverfield Lane), is a winning reinvention for the Predator franchise. Trachtenberg, who also helped revitalize the series with Prey (2022) and the animated Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), brings bold new ideas and a fresh vision to the big screen.
Rather than centering on humans, Badlands explores Yautja (the Predator race) culture from the inside. The story follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a Yautja “runt” who doesn’t match his clan’s expectations of physicality and strength. To prove himself, Dek embarks on a dangerous hunt for the Kalisk – a terrifying and powerful creature – on a remote and hostile planet. Along the way, he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged synthetic created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, which provides a clear link to the Alienuniverse.
Despite the PG-13 rating – a departure from the franchise’s usual R-rated violence – Badlands doesn’t shy away from intensity. Producer Ben Rosenblatt has said the filmmakers embraced a color palette other than red (since there are no human blood scenes), creating a new kind of “gruesome” action that works within the rating.
Schuster-Koloamatangi and Fanning give strong performances. Dek’s quiet strength and desperation shine through prosthetics and subtle expressions, and Fanning handles a challenging dual role: she plays Thia and her more ruthless twin, Tessa. Their chemistry drives much of the film, and their relationship – between a Yautja outcast and a half-broken android – becomes the emotional core of the story.
The movie’s world-building is its standout achievement. Trachtenberg and his team don’t just show us a hunt – they give us the society, values and conflicts of a Predator civilization. Leaves rustle with danger; alien flora and fauna are hostile; and Dek’s journey doesn’t just test his strength but his identity.
The film’s world-building will instantly captivate audiences, reminiscent of the stunning and picturesque landscapes found in George Lucas’s Star Wars, combined with the constant danger and suspense present in Peter Jackson’s Skull Island from the 2005 film King Kong.
On the box office front, Badlands opened to a franchise-best $40 million domestically from Nov. 7–9. Critics have responded positively as well: the film holds an 85% “certified fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes.
If you’re a longtime Predator fan, Badlands may surprise you. It evolves the mythos instead of repeating the formula. And if you’re new to the series, it’s an accessible, high-stakes sci-fi thriller with heart, grit and real story stakes.
Everyday Moviegoers: 9.5/10
Critics: 8.6/10
Cinephiles: 9/10
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Maalik Hawkins is a graduate of Trinity Washington University.