The next installment in the Predator franchise by Dan Trachtenberg is now upon us. With Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg gives audiences another look into the world of the Yautja, adding a thrilling new chapter to the larger narrative.
To the Yautja, weakness of any kind is one of the most significant flaws, as it goes against their code of honour and their survival-of-the-fittest mentality. This code of honour dictates their interactions and decisions, and their survival-of-the-fittest mentality shapes their hierarchy and social structure. So when Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Yautja smaller than his counterparts, is ostracized by his clan, he embarks on a treacherous journey to a remote planet called Genna. As the Yautja are used to being at the top of the metaphorical food chain, Dek swiftly learns that on this new planet, he is no longer the top hunter but the hunted.
As the top predator becomes prey, Dek finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged synthetic also stranded on this perilous planet. Thia, despite her damaged state, proves a valuable companion to Dek, providing him with insights and skills he lacks. Although Dek would prefer his mission to be a solitary one, he brings Thia along, making for some surprisingly comedic moments along the way. However, will the pair survive the deadly journey? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out.
With the success of both Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, it’s been very clear that director Dan Trachtenberg knows precisely what he’s doing with the Predator franchise. With his latest work, Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg stays on this steady course, delivering an action-packed and emotionally rich addition to the franchise. Trachtenberg’s work on the Predator franchise stands out for his ability to inject heart into each of the stories. The emotional depth felt throughout his Predator tales has been constant since the beginning, and it’s no different in Predator: Badlands. This emotional depth is what keeps the audience engaged and connected to the characters and their journey.
While the action in these films is undoubtedly what the audience is looking forward to, it’s the expansion of the lore, the heart, and the motivations behind the lead characters that really make Predator: Badlands worthwhile. The story by Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison does a fantastic job of fleshing out the characters, while also making Dek the unexpected hero of this tale. Typically, the Yautja are seen as villainous (rightly so), but Predator: Badlands subverts those expectations and makes Dek a character you genuinely root for throughout the movie. Dek’s unexpected heroism keeps the audience inspired and intrigued.
Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without the phenomenal performances of Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangias Dek and Elle Fanning as Thia. Both actors bring their A-game to the film and work incredibly well both on their own and together throughout Predator: Badlands. For Schuster-Koloamatangi, much of the work is physical, and he brings that to the Yautja effortlessly. The way he carried himself and his body language exuded Yautja energy, and Schuster-Koloamatangi entirely delivered a fantastic performance as Dek. Whether fighting off one of the alien creatures on Genna or experiencing a tragic loss, Schuster-Koloamatangi succeeds in making the audience feel every moment of Dek’s experience.
In addition, Fanning provided the comedic relief as Thia. The know-it-all synthetic provided the perfect foil to Schuster-Koloamatangi’s Dek, and the pair worked exceptionally well together. Their banter was used to shed light on the Yautja’s general solitary ways and attitude. Instead of being alone, the duo must work together, and Fanning and Schuster-Koloamatangi make every interaction seem effortless, effortlessly embodying their characters.
That said, as a dynamic that hasn’t really been explored in depth before, some fans of the franchise might not love the lack of solitude. If you’re going into the film knowing nothing about the general premise, you might be surprised at how much Dek and Thia have to work together. It didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the film by any means, but I also understand it’s different from what people might be used to.
We can’t talk about a Predator film without mentioning the action. Aside from the performances, the action is another one of the movie’s bright spots. Predator: Badlands is quite perfectly-paced with little to no slow moments. From the very first scenes, Badlands takes you on a thrilling ride, even alongside some of the film’s most emotional moments. The fast-paced action of Badlands keeps the audience thrilled and entertained, never feeling like it’s too much or not enough, and the way it moves through the different environments on Genna is visually stunning. You feel completely immersed in each scene, and I found myself wondering what it would be like to watch Badlands in D-Box to add to that experience.
There is a lot to like about Badlands, but that doesn’t mean the movie is without its flaws. Mainly, I wished we could spend more time alone with Dek. While it was an interesting take to have the Yautja have a companion, it would have been nice to have solo time with Dek as he processed all that happened to him before landing in Genna. Part of the third act seemed a little bit rushed, something that was particularly noticeable during the film’s final fight scene. Despite these minor flaws, there’s still way more to like about Badlands than to dislike.
Ultimately, Dek’s journey from ostracization to heroism adds depth to the characters and the storytelling, giving the audience something new within the franchise, specifically for the Yautja as we know them. Although I didn’t love Badlands as much as I loved Prey and Killer of Killers, it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi flick that should be seen on the biggest screen available for its top-notch action, phenomenal performances, and emotional throughlines. If you enjoyed Trachtenberg’s previous work on Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, you’ll surely be able to appreciate Predator: Badlands.
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