Predator: Badlands Review - The Predator Gets a New Playground
- Je-Ree
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Predator franchise had seemed to settle into a comfortable rhythm of humans getting hunted in the jungle but Predator Badlands is here to remind you that nothing in this universe is predictable. This film takes the iconic Yautja out of their usual role as silent hunters and puts one front and center, flipping the story in ways that are both bold and, at times, a little messy but undeniably entertaining.
The star of the show is Dek, (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) a young outcast predator trying to find his place on the deadly planet Genna. Alongside him is Thia, (Elle Fanning) a damaged android who brings humor and unpredictability to the story. Together, they navigate a world teeming with hostile creatures, bizarre terrain, and constant danger. Watching these two try to survive is surprisingly charming and gives the film a heart it might not have had if it stuck to the old “humans vs. predator” formula.
Visually, the film is a feast. Genna is alive with alien flora and fauna, from massive predators to landscapes that look as if someone took a sci-fi art book and threw it into 3D motion. Every corner of this world is threatening, and the action sequences are cinematic and full of energy. Sure, the CGI gets heavy at times, reminding you that you’re watching a movie, but that never completely pulls you out of the thrill. The designers did a fantastic job of making Genna feel like a planet that could easily eat you alive if you take your eyes off the screen.
One notable change is the PG-13 rating. Longtime fans expecting brutal gore and tense, visceral human hunts might feel a little shortchanged. The violence is present but cleaner, relying on clever choreography, suspense, and the planet’s natural dangers rather than buckets of blood. It’s a shift that may ruffle some feathers but works for the story this film wants to tell.
The performances are a highlight. Elle Fanning’s Thia is witty, vulnerable, and energetic, creating a perfect balance with Dek’s stoic presence. Their dynamic is the film’s emotional core, and it adds a surprising layer of depth. The predator here isn’t just a killing machine, it’s a character with humor, personality, and even moments of vulnerability. That alone makes this movie a fresh experience for fans and newcomers alike.
Of course, the film isn’t perfect. Some story threads feel underdeveloped, and hardcore fans might miss the grittier tone of previous films. Certain elements of Predator lore are teased without full payoff, and when the action ramps up into CGI-heavy chaos, the tension occasionally dips. But these flaws are forgivable because the film takes risks that keep it exciting and unpredictable, which is something the franchise desperately needed.
Predator Badlands is a reinvention more than a continuation. It delivers exciting action, memorable characters, and an imaginative alien world. It balances thrills with humor, heart, and even a little existential crisis because what’s a predator without a planet that wants to kill it back? If you’re ready to see the Predator in a new light and enjoy a story that surprises rather than rehashes, this is one hunt you won’t want to skip. Just leave your expectations about humans being hunted at the door.
By the end, Predator Badlands proves that a franchise can evolve without losing its core identity. It may not satisfy every die-hard fan, but it’s bold, fun, and surprisingly charming; an alien adventure that shows the Predator universe still has plenty of teeth to bare.