Predator Badlands Review – A Ferocious Return to the Hunt

If Prey reignited the Predator franchise, Predator: Badlands supercharged it with jet fuel. Dan Trachtenberg’s latest entry drops the jungle for an alien wasteland and flips the whole mythology on its head, and somehow, it works. This is a Predator movie that moves like an MMA fight shot through a sci-fi lens… brutal, breathless, and strangely emotional.

From the first frame, the movie barely lets you breathe. I went in cold, hadn’t seen Prey, wasn’t caught up on Yautja lore, and still found myself locked in. The film wastes no time throwing you into the middle of a hunt, where young Predator warrior Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) tries to prove himself in a clan that eats weakness for breakfast. Within minutes, you know what kind of ride you’re in for: violent, primal, and constantly testing who deserves to live another day.

The Good

This might be the most visually stunning and physically grounded Predator movie to date. Shot across New Zealand’s otherworldly landscapes, the film trades familiar jungle greens for alien blues and blood-red skies that look like a heavy-metal album cover come to life. Every fight feels tactile, you can practically feel the mud splatter. The choreography carries the same polish you’d see in a top-tier Hollywood stunt reel. That’s a compliment: it’s kinetic, tight, and hits like a thunderclap instead of a CGI blur.

Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi brings raw physical energy and heart to Dek. He’s not a snarling monster, he’s a bruised, scrappy underdog trying to prove himself in a system that only values strength. He reminded me of Killmonger meeting his T’Challa moment, the fight that defines his destiny.

And then there’s Elle Fanning’s Thia, a half-destroyed, half-alive robot who somehow manages to steal scenes without legs. Fanning plays Thia with this blend of wonder and weariness that’s pure sci-fi gold, think WALL-E by way of Ripley. Her banter and emotional spark give Dek someone to fight for beyond the clan’s code of survival.

Trachtenberg clearly knows his audience. He blends spectacle and storytelling like a pro, brutal Predator kills one moment, heartfelt character beats the next. The pacing feels relentless but never rushed. It’s the rare action movie that doesn’t let up and still makes you care.

The Bad

Thia (Elle Fanning) in 20th Century Studios’ PREDATOR: BADLANDS film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the movie moves so fast you barely have time to sit with the emotional weight it’s building. The mythology and world-building, especially the glimpse into Yautja culture, are fascinating but sometimes take a back seat to the next adrenaline rush. Some viewers might want a breather or a little more explanation about the lore Trachtenberg teases.

And while the human-less setting is bold, it also means there’s no “entry character” for newcomers. You either roll with the alien POV or risk feeling like you missed the cheat sheet.

Final Thoughts

Predator: Badlands is the kind of sci-fi action film that punches first and explains later, and that’s part of its charm. It’s feral, fresh, and surprisingly heartfelt, giving the Predator franchise something it hasn’t had in years: new blood that feels earned.

By the time the credits tease what’s next, you’ll be ready to hunt again.