Predator Badlands Review: I didn’t think I’d ever say: a Predator movie where the Predator is actually the good guy… and somehow, it works. Yeah, Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg (who also gave us Prey), does exactly that; it flips the whole idea of the franchise on its head.
Now, if you’ve been following this series since the 80s, you know how wild that sounds. The first Predator movie was this testosterone-filled jungle hunt where the alien was the ultimate villain. Fast-forward decades later, and here we are rooting for the poor guy in a world that literally wants him dead.
My Rating: 3.5/5
| Title | Predator: Badlands |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure |
| Director | Dan Trachtenberg |
| Writer(s) | Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg |
| Producer(s) | John Davis, Lawrence Gordon |
| Cast | Elle Fanning, Dane DiLiegro (as the Predator), with supporting performances by various motion-capture artists |
| Runtime | 1h 47m |
| Franchise | Predator (7th installment overall) |
| Language | English |
The Setup: Meet the Young Predator Who Wasn’t Meant to Survive
The story follows a young Predator, or “Yautja,” as their species is officially called, who’s basically the runt of his clan. His father wants him gone, his people mock him, and the internet didn’t hold back either when his design dropped. But here’s the twist: that’s exactly the point.
He’s smaller, weaker, and trying to prove himself in a culture that worships strength. Think of it as Rocky Balboa meets alien warfare. You actually end up feeling for this guy. He’s not hunting for sport, he’s hunting to survive, to earn respect.
The World: Welcome to the Badlands
To prove his worth, our outcast Predator is sent to the “Badlands”, a planet so hostile it makes Avatar’s Pandora look like a Sunday picnic. Every creature, plant, and rock formation seems designed to kill him.
But of course, like every good hero’s journey, there’s a catch: he goes in fully armed and loses everything early on. Yep, total “God of War II” vibes — nerfed right at the start. What follows is a brutal, stripped-down survival trek… only this time, he’s not alone.
Enter Elle Fanning: The Synthetic with No Legs
He teams up with a synthetic (played by Elle Fanning), who, and yes, this sounds as wild as it is, he literally carries on his back. She’s legless, sharp-tongued, and the perfect counterbalance to his stoic alien energy.
Their dynamic becomes the emotional heart of the movie. It’s funny, awkward, and surprisingly sweet at times. The film leans more into humor than Prey did, which I wasn’t expecting. Personally, I could’ve done with a little less of the MCU-style banter, but their odd-couple chemistry does make the middle act more fun to watch.
The Rating Surprise: PG-13, Really?
Here’s where things get interesting. I didn’t realize until halfway through that this movie is rated PG-13. And honestly? You barely notice. There’s zero red blood in the entire film; they cleverly replace it with synthetic fluids and alien goo.
But somehow, the kills still hit hard. The sound design, camera angles, and reactions make each hit feel brutal even without a drop of red on screen. It’s a masterclass in showing intensity without gore.
Visuals & Budget: Small Money, Big Impact
With a $100 million budget, Predator: Badlands looks better than it should. A few CGI shots wobble here and there, but overall, the environments, creature designs, and motion capture are solid. You can tell Trachtenberg knows how to stretch a dollar; it’s clean, immersive, and visually satisfying without trying too hard to be “epic.”
The Pacing: Great Start, Mid-Game Drag, Strong Finish
The setup is great; it pulls you in fast. But somewhere after the first act, the movie drags a bit. The young Predator spends too long dodging oversized monsters and toxic plants before the story picks up again. It starts feeling like a video game fetch quest.
Then, halfway through, it finds its rhythm again. The stakes rise, the fights get smarter, and the story becomes genuinely engaging. The last stretch delivers that classic “Predator energy” we all came for.
The Humor & Heart
This isn’t a straight-up horror-action movie like the first Predator. It’s got more personality; some jokes land, some don’t, but it keeps things fresh. The connection between the Predator and Elle Fanning’s character gives the film unexpected emotional depth. You actually care about what happens to them.
Also Read: Zomvivor Review: Thailand’s Brutal Answer to All of Us Are Dead!
My Final Take
When the credits rolled, I realized something: Predator: Badlands doesn’t just add to the franchise, it refreshes it. It gives you something you didn’t know you wanted: empathy for a Predator.
Would I have preferred it to go full R-rated and drop the PG-13 training wheels? Absolutely. But even with that limit, this movie still packs a punch. It’s fast, entertaining, funny when it needs to be, and surprisingly heartfelt.
And yeah, I could’ve done without the clunky studio logo popping up right under the title card. That broke the immersion for a second.
Still, good time, no alcohol required.
Predator: Badlands — The Good & The Bad
| What Worked (The Good) | What Didn’t (The Bad) |
|---|---|
| A fresh take with the Predator as the underdog | A few mid-act pacing issues |
| Strong motion capture and visual design for the budget | Humor sometimes undercuts the tension |
| Elle Fanning’s layered performance adds heart | PG-13 rating limits the brutality |
| Creative world-building around Predator culture | Title screen and studio branding break immersion |
| Emotional connection between Predator & synthetic | Some CGI moments look cheap under close watch |
Verdict
Rating: 3.5/5
Predator: Badlands proves you can reinvent a classic without betraying it. It’s not perfect, but it’s bold, weird, and unexpectedly human for a story about an alien hunter.
If you grew up loving the original but want something different, this one’s worth your time. Just don’t expect gallons of blood; this is a cleaner, sharper kind of chaos.