Predator: Badlands
Third Predator film by Trachtenberg, this time with the alien hunter as protagonist
The brief
Dan Trachtenberg continues his smart reinvention of the Predator franchise by flipping the script and making the hunter the protagonist, with Elle Fanning delivering a surprisingly grounded performance as his android companion. The film feels like a Western crossed with Alien, all scorched desert landscapes and tense standoffs, building to encounters that hit with the brutal efficiency you want from this series. Trachtenberg keeps the pacing lean and the mythology interesting without drowning you in lore dumps. Perfect for anyone who loved Prey or thinks the Predator works best when the films focus on survival rather than explosions.
The verdict
If you loved Prey or enjoy methodical survival thrillers that prioritize atmosphere and character over spectacle, this smart Western-meets-Alien take on Predator delivers exactly what the franchise needed. If you're expecting non-stop action or traditional human protagonists, the deliberate pacing and unconventional focus on the hunter as hero might leave you cold.
Watch with
- 👥 Action fans who loved Prey
- 👤 Solo viewing for full immersion
- ⚠️ Skip with young kids due to violence
Heads up
- Brutal predator kills and combat (frequent)
- Android violence and damage (moderate)
- Desert survival peril (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Dan Trachtenberg
- Cast
- Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Ravi Narayan, Michael Homick, Stefan Grube, Reuben De Jong, Cameron Brown
Official synopsis
Cast out from his clan, a young Predator finds an unlikely ally in a damaged android and embarks on a treacherous
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Killer (1989)
Both feature lone warriors seeking redemption through violent, methodical hunts.
Total runtime: 1h 47m + 1h 50m = 3h 37m
