Director Dan Trachtenberg, known for his innovative contributions to the 38-year-old sci-fi franchise, has once again pushed boundaries with “Predator: Badlands,” currently playing in theaters. Following his success with 2022’s “Prey,” set in the early 1700s with a Comanche protagonist, and the franchise’s first animated feature, 2025’s “Predator: Killer of Killers,” Trachtenberg sought to fundamentally alter the premise of the series for “Badlands.” This film, co-written with Patrick Aison, takes an unprecedented approach by casting a Yautja, the titular alien predator, not as the villain but as the central protagonist.

“Predator: Badlands” introduces Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Yautja striving to prove his worth to his father, Njohrr (Reuben De Jong). Deemed a disgraced runt, Dek is ordered to be executed by Njohrr, but his brother, Kwei (Mike Homik), sacrifices himself to free Dek. This act sends Dek on a perilous journey to the deadly planet Genna with a seemingly impossible mission: to kill the Kalisk, the planet’s invincible apex predator, a feat no other Yautja has accomplished.

Upon arriving on Genna, Dek discovers a hostile environment where nearly every plant and animal is actively trying to kill him. Amidst this peril, he encounters two unexpected companions. The first is Thia (Elle Fanning), a friendly android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, establishing a direct link to the “Alien” franchise. Thia, separated from her legs after a prior encounter with the Kalisk, offers Dek her extensive knowledge of Genna’s ecology in exchange for help recovering her missing lower half. The second companion is Bud, an endearing creature resembling a large dog, who marks Dek as part of its clan by spitting on him. Despite Bud’s affection, Dek initially abandons him, adhering to the Yautja belief in solitary hunting.

Dek eventually confronts the Kalisk in a brutal battle, successfully decapitating it. However, he soon discovers the Kalisk’s extraordinary regenerative abilities, allowing it to reattach its head. As the restored Kalisk prepares to strike, it hesitates, sensing something on Dek’s body. At this critical moment, Dek and the Kalisk are frozen by Tessa (also Elle Fanning), Thia’s android sister. Tessa, under orders from Weyland-Yutani’s ruthless AI, Mu/th/ur, aims to capture the Kalisk. Witnessing Tessa’s torture and taunting of Dek, Thia decides to help Dek escape, knowing it means her own decommissioning.

Staggered by Thia’s sacrifice, Dek reunites with Bud, making a profound discovery: Bud is a baby Kalisk, and Tessa has abducted its mother. The Kalisk had spared Dek earlier because Bud had marked him, signifying a new familial bond. Dek’s mission shifts from personal glory to rescuing Thia and the Kalisk mother, now his unexpected clan. They succeed in their rescue, but the Kalisk subsequently swallows Tessa whole, leading to the android’s explosion from within, killing the previously unkillable creature. Dek then permanently incapacitates Tessa by stabbing her in the back of the head.

Returning to his home planet, Yautja Prime, Dek presents Tessa’s skull to his father, Njohrr, who rebuffs him. Prepared for this, Dek engages Njohrr in a fight and wins, with a now much larger Bud biting off Njohrr’s head. The film concludes with Dek, Thia, and Bud, his new found family, standing together as a large, menacing Yautja ship appears on the horizon, carrying Dek’s mother.

Trachtenberg explains that these plot twists, including Bud’s true identity and the arrival of Dek’s mother, were crucial to his vision of completely reimagining the “Predator” franchise. He emphasized the desire to introduce multiple “crazy ideas” into a film where the alien monster is the protagonist. His approach to creature design on Genna was strictly narrative-driven, focusing on the ecology and evolution of the planet rather than just creating visually cool or scary creatures. For example, a creature evolved to feed in razor grass fields would develop specific armor and a beak to cope with its environment.

The design of Bud, a surprisingly cute character for a “Predator” film, was also intentional. Trachtenberg drew inspiration from characters like Rocket Raccoon and Groot, aiming for a balance of adorable and badass. He reflected on “Terminator 2” and its blend of intense action with emotional warmth, striving for a similar dynamic in “Badlands.” References like the Murloc from “World of Warcraft” also influenced Bud’s design. The initial idea of Bud transforming into the Kalisk was considered but discarded for feeling too supernatural, with the final choice emphasizing themes of unexpected familial bonds and challenging abusive family dynamics.

Trachtenberg also integrated subtle world-building elements, such as the “Rock Biter” worm-like creature in the background of Genna scenes, to underscore the planet’s inherent deadliness and complex food chain. The film intentionally places itself furthest into the future of both the “Predator” and “Alien” franchises, avoiding conflicts with other ongoing projects like “Alien: Romulus” or “Alien: Earth,” while allowing the creative team to explore new temporal settings.

Regarding the franchise’s future, Trachtenberg views the ending of “Badlands,” with the arrival of Dek’s mother’s ship, as a compelling twist that sets up exciting possibilities. He draws an analogy to the early Marvel Cinematic Universe, where individual films were strong standalone stories that subtly laid groundwork for a larger, interconnected narrative like “The Avengers.” This philosophy guides his approach to developing future “Predator” stories, ensuring each film is a complete and awesome idea on its own, while still allowing for potential connections.

The director expressed his long-standing enjoyment of working within the “Predator” universe, particularly because the Yautja’s inherent code allows for diverse thematic and emotional storytelling alongside intense action. Unlike mindless killers, the Yautja’s culture and quest for worthy opponents resonate with universal human experiences of self-measurement and striving. This unique foundation enables Trachtenberg to craft varied narratives that remain true to the franchise’s essence while exploring new depths.

Behind the scenes, Trachtenberg shared insights into valuable feedback he received from James Cameron, who praised “Prey” and offered encouragement during “Badlands”’ production, despite initial skepticism. Additionally, in a unique cameo, “Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross Duffer lent their voices to the heavily treated computer on Dek’s Yautja ship, quickly learning the Yautja language for the role. The film’s strength and surprising success at the weekend box office were also highlighted on a recent “Daily Variety” podcast episode.