Predator: Badlands is a fun, thrilling entry that brings the franchise closer to its gritty roots—even with a PG-13 rating. It’s never bloated, pretentious, or overwrought. The film knows exactly what it is and delivers on that promise in spades.
This ninth installment follows a Predator named Dek, who flees his home world, Yautja Prime, after his father kills his brother. Hoping to regain his father’s respect, Dek embarks on a mission to hunt down a fearsome Predator known as the Kalisk on a planet called Genna.
Once there, Dek faces brutal challenges but gains an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic robot who lost half her body in a failed attempt to kill the Kalisk. Reluctantly, Dek teams up with her, and she quickly proves to be his C-3PO—offering well-timed comic relief while unknowingly getting under his skin.
Meanwhile, another team led by Thia’s sister, Tessa (also played by Fanning), is pursuing the same target. They view Dek as a dangerous obstacle and vow to eliminate him as well.
Badlands crackles with energy and imagination, especially in its special effects sequences—like Dek’s showdown with a creature whose head regenerates mid-fight. The visuals rival anything from the recent Alien films, creating a world that’s both visceral and inventive.
Director Dan Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison balance high-tech spectacle with character-driven storytelling. They give the action weight and the humor purpose—particularly through Fanning’s Thia, who’s funny without being forced.
Predator: Badlands lands as an exhilarating shot of adrenaline for a franchise that’s stumbled before. In the right hands, it’s once again headed down some thrilling new roads.
