Predator: Badlands

If you’ve ever wondered what a Predator movie would look like from the Predator’s point of view, Predator: Badlands is here to answer that question—and it does so with style. This 2025 sci-fi action flick flips the script on the franchise by making the alien hunter the hero of the story. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (who also helmed Prey), the film dives deep into Predator culture, giving fans a fresh and surprisingly emotional take on the iconic creature.

The story follows Dek, a young and undersized Predator who’s been cast out by his clan. Determined to prove himself, he sets off on a dangerous mission to hunt the Kalisk, a seemingly unkillable beast on the hostile planet Genna. Along the way, Dek teams up with Thia, a damaged android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, and a quirky native creature named Bud. What starts as a survival mission quickly turns into something much bigger, with themes of loyalty, identity, and redemption woven throughout.

Elle Fanning pulls double duty as both Thia and her cold, calculating sister Tessa, while Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi brings surprising depth to Dek, the Predator protagonist. The film also features some impressive practical and digital effects, with Wētā Workshop and ILM helping bring the alien world and its creatures to life. The action is intense, the visuals are stunning, and the emotional beats hit harder than you’d expect from a Predator movie.

Fans of the franchise will appreciate the nods to its expanded universe, including the use of the terms “Yautja” and “Yautja Prime,” and the appearance of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. But even if you’re new to the series, Badlands stands on its own as a self-contained story with a clear arc and compelling characters.

That said, if you’re expecting the usual R-rated bloodbath, you might be surprised—this is the first mainline Predator film to get a PG-13 rating. While it still delivers plenty of action, it leans more into character development and world-building than pure carnage.

Predator: Badlands is a bold and refreshing entry in the franchise that reimagines what a Predator movie can be. If you’re into sci-fi adventures with heart, or just want to see a Predator wielding homemade weapons alongside a sarcastic android and a gooey alien sidekick, this one’s for you. If you’re only here for the gore, you might find it a bit tame—but you’ll still get a wild ride.