Predator Badlands: What Does it Mean to be Strong?

Aaron Cole

November 17, 2025

            There’s always a bigger predator. The opening shot of the film shows different animals eating a smaller animal only to get eaten by an even larger animal. Predator Badlands is the 7^th installment of the predator franchise, 9^th if you count the alien vs. predator films. It is the 3^rd predator movie directed by Dan Trachtenberg, after Prey (2022) and Predator: Killer of Killers (2025). The film stars Dimitrius Schuster -Koloamatangi in just his second film as the titular predator Dek, and Elle Fanning in a dual role as Thia and Tessa, two androids from the Weyland Corporation.

            The film begins with Dek training with his older brother Kwei on the predator home planet Yautja Prime. Dek is the runt of his clan, which gives him the desire to prove himself. He seeks to hunt and kill the Kalisk, which is a creature so fierce that even other predators are too afraid to go after it. His father Njhorr arrives where they finished training with the goal to win worst father of the year award. He certainly makes a strong case for himself.

            Things quickly go south, and soon Dek’s ship crash lands on the planet Genna, where the Kalisk lives. Everything on the planet is deadly, including the grass and trees. Soon he comes across the android Thia, who has been on the planet for a while. She and other androids were sent by the Weyland Corporation to study the creatures of the planet and capture the Kalisk. Seeing that their goals align, Dek uses her as he puts it: “A tool,” to make their way towards the Kalisk. Along the way they meet a creature that looks like a mix between Gollum on steroids and a monkey. Thia names the creature “Bud.” Thia and Bud do ride the line in being too annoying and comical, but they are able to do the dramatic stuff effectively when needed. Thia has interesting conversations with Dek about what fun is it for someone to survive alone, and how the alpha wolf, one of earth’s strongest predators, protects the pack. Bud is obviously a marketing tool to get people to see the cute creature. Still, Bud is at least useful, and he does end up tying into the story in an interesting way.

            Dek and Thia fight the Kalisk, but are then captured by the Weyland Corporation, led by Tessa, Thia’s “sister.” Dek is able to escape, and he uses the different tools that the planet provides and is able to free Thia and the Kalisk. Dek, Thia, Bud, and the Kalisk lay waste to the compound and androids in a very entertaining sequence. Dek, along with Thia and Bud, return to his home planet to confront his father and avenge his brother.

            There are many things to like about this movie. The variety of creatures on the planet Genna all have a unique design, and each has a vast array of different abilities that can either help or kill you. The movie is shot in away that you can take in the vastness of the planet and everything surrounding the characters. The action is very well done and the ways Dek and company kill the different creatures and androids are very creative. Dek goes on a similar character arc that Naru did on prey. He learns to use his surroundings and think tactically rather than just physically. Elle Fanning showcases her range as an actress playing the playing the playful and curious Thia, and the cold and calculating always focused on the mission Tessa. There is also an interesting contrast between Dek and the other predators, particularly his father. Dek, despite being considered a runt, was the only one willing to go after the Kalisk, and yet his father, who is supposed to be the strongest, is too afraid of the beast. He dismisses his own son for being weak and unworthy, yet he is the very antithesis of what a predator should be. Previous predator movies have shown humans using their wits or working together to overcome the predator. Now this movie has Dek using his wits and working with others in order to overcome any obstacle he faces.

            My biggest concern with this franchise going forward is the tone. This movie is easily the most comedic and family friendly of the franchise. It doesn’t quite go into MCU territory, but it is riding that line. This movie is also PG-13. Now they are able to get away with this because they are killing alien creatures and androids, but I hope that they don’t make the movies where actual humans are being slaughtered PG-13. Dan Trachtenberg has done a good job at evolving the lore and the franchise. I just hope the franchise doesn’t lose the core of what makes predator so unique. Disney just needs to take a step back and let Dan do his thing. He has already proven himself multiple times, and this movie has already made its money back. Someone needs to talk to the people at Disney and list examples of all the times studios got too greedy and ruined franchises such as Jaws, Alien, and even Predator at one point. Still, I am looking forward to where this franchise as well as Dek and his crew go next. The world is expanding are there are a wide array of possibilities on where to take this franchise. I just hope they don’t make the same mistake Icarus did and fly too close to the sun.

Final Rating: 7/10