Predator: Badlands arrives as the first installment in the franchise since 2022's Prey, marking the second Predator-related release of the year. Hulu’s animated collection, Predator: Killer of Killers, is currently available to watch online. All three projects share a connection through Dan Trachtenberg’s direction and/or writing. The story centers on Dek, a young Predator striving for his father's approval but struggling to overcome the shadow cast by his older brother, Kwei. His father, who values strength and lineage above all else, views Dek as weak and even wants him dead to maintain the family’s honor. This perception of weakness fuels both Dek’s father’s harsh treatment and Dek’s own desire to prove himself. Kwei believes Dek deserves a chance to demonstrate his worthiness and potentially live up to the family's legacy. Predators select their prey, and eager to earn his father's respect and establish his superiority, Dek chooses Genna—a planet known for its low survival rate. He targets the Kalisk, a predator believed to be invincible, as a way to showcase his bravery. Following his father’s killing of Kwei, Dek’s motivation shifts to vengeance; after escaping to Genna, he must now capture the Kalisk both to validate himself and avenge his brother. The Yautja are a proud race that hunts alone. As Dek attempts to prove himself by surviving the dangers of Genna, he reluctantly rescues Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged synthetic, hoping she can guide him. She is searching for her sister, Tessa, and possesses knowledge about the Kalisk’s location, driven by the wish to reunite with her. Unaware that he and the Weyland-Yutani Corporation are pursuing the same prey, Dek brings Thia along. Badlands introduces several firsts for the Predator franchise—the first time a Predator has been named in a film, and the first time a Predator is the main character. The Yautja language was created by Britton Watkins, who received the recommendation from Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na’vi language for Avatar. Dan Trachtenberg expressed interest in developing a new Alien vs. Predator film or franchise, intending to do so properly. Predator: Badlands includes references connecting these cinematic universes and another one as well. The movie incorporates pulse rifles from Aliens. The Weyland-Yutani logo on Thia’s eyes is reminiscent of Andy’s eyes in Alien: Romulus. Dek’s armor preparation before the final battle pays tribute to Amber Midthunder’s actions in Prey, which itself was a nod to Dutch’s preparations in the original Predator. Tessa utilizes a power loader similar to Ripley's in Aliens. A Harvester skull from Independence Day is visible on Kwei’s trophy wall. The film runs for a tight 107 minutes and delivers nearly constant action sequences. Influences can be seen in works such as Frank Frazetta, Terrence Malick, Shane (1953), The Road Warrior, Conan the Barbarian, The Book of Eli, Clint Eastwood westerns, Jaws, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Star Wars; video games like Shadow of the Colossus, Half-Life 2, Uncharted, God of War; and the comic book character Drax the Destroyer. Genna is so dangerous that Dek finds himself surrounded by wildlife and otherworldly creatures intent on killing him. Predator: Badlands evokes Mad Max: Fury Road, prioritizing non-stop action until the end credits. The emphasis on the Yautja language (a universal translator allows characters to understand each other’s native tongues), intense combat, and animals in the storyline create an atmosphere similar to Genndy Tartakovsky’s animated series, Primal. Badlands contains more visual effects shots than any previous Predator film. Numerous VFX studios, including Weta Workshop and ILM, are credited for bringing this visually impressive movie to life. The film looks remarkable thanks to its stunning cinematography and nearly flawless special effects. Each action sequence combines creativity, intense violence, and expert CGI. Every battle is memorable, such as when Dek splits a bone bison in half with his plasma sword in slow motion. The film maintains its PG-13 rating by avoiding excessive onscreen blood, which would have resulted in an R-rating due to the predominantly green blood of predators or white blood of synthetics. The only shortcoming of Predator: Badlands is its straightforwardness and lack of complexity. However, that isn’t necessarily a drawback. It easily ranks among the best action movies released this year. Trachtenberg references earlier films in the franchise without simply repeating their stories. Viewers become invested in Dek, Thia, and Bud (a native creature bonded to Dek), and notice almost every Easter egg. Despite this, the story feels fresh. Wherever the Predator franchise goes next, it promises a new experience for fans. Predator: Badlands is savage, impressive, and brutal—the most action-packed Predator film to date. It’s best experienced in theaters to fully appreciate the visuals and sound; it's worth the cost of admission.

Source on TMDB