Writer-director Dan Trachtenberg has continuously pushed the Predator franchise in new directions. From introducing the iconic movie monster to an older time period in Prey (2022) to then tripling down on that concept with a fun twist in the recent animated film Predator: Killer of Killers, the series once again feels as dynamic and exhilarating as it did when it was introduced in 1987. With Predator: Badlands (2025), Trachtenberg makes a risky pivot to uncharted territory. For the first time ever, the Predator himself is the protagonist in the story. While other forms of media, like the Dark Horse comics, have long explored this concept, a Predator protagonist on film could arguably never have been pulled off until now.
Through a combination of practical effects and facial motion capture, the young Yautja warrior Dek is brought to life seamlessly on screen. Studio Gillis, which provided the new creature suit, and the VFX wizards at Wētā deserve immense praise. However, none of their bold efforts would resonate as strongly if not for the incredible work of actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. More than a stuntman, Koloamatangi performed the role in full costume, often wearing a special mask and eye contacts that allowed his facial nuances to be digitally translated later. Linguist Britton Watkins created a fully fleshed-out Yautja language for this film, which Koloamatangi also learned to speak. Yes, Yautja is now a functional language, and it’s not just clicking sounds!
An Impossible Hunt
Madness runs deep throughout almost every facet of Predator: Badlands, whether it’s in technical advancements, such as creating an entire alien language, or in its huge narrative swings. Written by Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You) and Patrick Aison (Prey), with Dan Trachtenberg developing the story with Aison, audiences follow Dek, the runt of a relentless Yautja clan. The time has come for Dek to prove himself and leave his home planet of Yautja Prime to embark on an ancestral hunt. The ancient rite of passage is simple: bring back the head of a chosen prey and be rewarded with acceptance into the clan, or never return. But Dek’s father, the clan leader, has other plans.
Courtesy of Disney
Dek’s merciless father chooses to order his death, culling the weakness of the clan. After narrowly escaping his wrath, the outcast runt travels to the death planet Genna, where the unkillable Kalisk resides. To earn his place as a Yautja and fulfill a promise to his older brother Kwei, Dek plans to bring the head of the giant beast back home. Danger lurks at every corner on Genna, though, and he’s going to need some guidance to survive. This is where Thia (Elle Fanning) comes in. A damaged Weyland-Yutani synthetic, completely missing her lower body, Thia needs help getting back to her base. In return, she can lead Dek to the Kalisk. Thus, the two strike a deal.
Predator: Badlands Expands the Shared Universe with Alien Naturally
One of the smartest decisions of the script is deliberately not making Thia an audience surrogate. Dek is a fascinating protagonist in his own right, and all of his Yautja dialogue is translated in subtitles from the outset, thereby eliminating the need for a character like Thia to translate in-story constantly. While obviously, the inclusion of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien franchise is exciting for the potential of another Alien vs. Predator crossover, Dan Trachtenberg isn’t here to smash toys together for his own self-gratification. It goes without saying, and this shouldn’t be considered a spoiler, but Predator: Badlands is a self-contained story that incorporates Weyland-Yutani synths for its own narrative purposes, rather than as cheap franchise bait.
Elle Fanning (The Great, A Complete Unknown) is both effortlessly hilarious and charming as Thia, who is unlike other synths due to her higher emotional sensitivity. That crucial detail comes into play in the plot in more ways than one, as embracing sensitivity just might be the key to what gets Dek through his seemingly impossible quest. Yautja culture is incredibly macho and dogmatic, where any sign of empathy is seen as weakness. Throughout their journey, as Dek carries Thia’s upper body like a backpack à la Chewbacca and C-3PO, she begs him to understand that to survive Genna, he must understand the role of its nature and wildlife. But, of course, Yautja must never feel for their prey.
Elle Fanning’s Dual Role is More Than a Cool Trick
Dek and Thia share an unlikely bond, reinforced by her skewed relationship with her “sister” Tessa (also played by Fanning). The other, more advanced synth involved in Weyland-Yutani’s plans on Genna, Tessa shares the same high sensitivity as Thia, but adheres strictly to the company’s original intention for programming those emotions: exploitation. It’s a striking parallel to Dek’s relationship with Kwei and why the Yautja persistently hunt: to stay at the top of the food chain as a “predator to all.” As Dek and Thia find themselves on opposite ends of this equation, what they then choose to compromise in their belief systems draws them together as a sort of found family. Or, a new clan, I should say.
Now, a Yautja and a synthetic becoming close allies might sound a bit odd, but Predator: Badlands pulls off the found family trope with genuine pathos and zest. Even when a small, freakish-looking, reptilian-ape creature companion, nicknamed Bud, gets introduced for some comedic relief, it never comes off as shallow humor because there is a larger, and gratifying, narrative purpose for its inclusion to begin with. Bud, in particular, will likely soon become a fan favorite for that reason and more. Plus, when Elle Fanning is delivering an especially cold-blooded and malicious performance as Tessa, it’s hard for viewers not to totally invest themselves in rooting for Dek and Thia. Whenever they are together, the movie soars.
Dan Trachtenberg Draws Inspiration From George Lucas
Predator: Badlands makes likeable heroes out of a Yautja and Weyland-Yutani synth, something that certain fans might need some time to get accustomed to. Yet, one must take into account Dan Trachtenberg’s north stars for this project. In taking the Predator series into uncharted waters, Trachtenberg draws considerable inspiration from the tone of George Lucas and Star Wars. Some critics have already called Badlands the “Disney-fication” of Predator, citing the humor and the basic fact that Dek is not a heartless killer. However, that is a surface-level criticism that refuses to engage with the intent of this story. If any franchise is to thrive with lasting cultural relevance — Badlands being the 7th Predator film — it must continue to evolve.
Courtesy of Disney
With each of his Predator movies, Trachtenberg has re-evaluated the endless potential of the franchise — keeping fans on their toes. Everything that was once thought improbable and not likely to be sellable to general audiences is back on the table, and Badlands is the next step in that evolution. Like the planets of the original Star Wars trilogy, Genna is filled with all kinds of creatures and environments beyond our wildest dreams. From tiny exploding bugs to giant pterodactyl-like vultures to even fields of sharp razor grass and flesh-eating vines, Dek is both outnumbered and outmatched. Yet, as deadly as this planet is, there is a surprising amount of wonder and whimsy to be found, just like those of Lucas.
Jaw-Dropping Action and Alien Guts Galore
In tapping into the untamed nature of Genna, Dek becomes a Yautja warrior unlike fans have ever seen. Visually, Predator: Badlands is Dan Trachtenberg at his best. Reuniting with 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) and Prey cinematographer Jeff Cutter, the two generate a feral energy that keeps everything moving at a breezy pace. Each action set piece is outdone by the previous one, with Trachtenberg constantly introducing new inventive obstacles for Dek to overcome. When he finally does succeed, often drenched in colorful alien guts with his laser blade in hand, Badlands is purely epic and leaves your jaw on the floor. Don’t do yourself a disservice by missing out on one of the most thrilling sci-fi adventures of the year.
Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7!
Release Date: November 7, 2025.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg.
Screenplay by Patrick Aison & Brian Duffield.
Story by Dan Trachtenberg & Patrick Aison.
Based on characters created by Jim Thomas & John Thomas.
Produced by Dan Trachtenberg, Ben Rosenblatt, Brent O’Connor, Marc Toberoff, & John Davis.
Executive Producers: Lawrence Gordon & Stefan Grube.
Main Cast: Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Elle Fanning, & Mike Homik.
Cinematographer: Jeff Cutter.
Composers: Sarah Schachner & Benjamin Wallfisch.
Production Companies: Lawrence Gordon Productions, Davis Entertainment, & Toberoff Entertainment.
Distributor: 20th Century Studios.
Runtime: 107 minutes.
Rated PG-13.
