The acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company in 2019 has surprisingly led to a remarkable expansion and revitalization of beloved sci-fi action franchises, particularly the Alien and Predator series. Far from letting these iconic brands languish, Disney has actively cultivated their potential. The Alien universe has seen significant growth with the nostalgia-rich 2024 film Alien: Romulus and the acclaimed 2025 series Alien: Earth. Similarly, the Predator franchise has experienced an impressive resurgence, largely due to the vision of writer-director Dan Trachtenberg.

After several unsuccessful attempts to revive the Predator brand in the 2010s, including 2010’s Predators and 2018’s The Predator, the franchise found new life with Trachtenberg’s 2022 film, Prey. This critically acclaimed prequel transported the series 300 years into the past, showcasing the vast scope and possibilities of the universe. This expansion continued with the animated anthology film Predator: Killer of Killers. Now, with Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg returns for his third directorial venture in the franchise, further solidifying his track record of reinventing and expanding the Predator universe in truly innovative and exciting ways.

Predator: Badlands immerses audiences in a narrative told from the Predator's perspective, beginning on the alien homeworld of Yautja Prime. Here, a young Predator named Dek, voiced by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, strives to prove his worth in a trial by combat against his brother, Kwei (Mike Homik). Dek successfully holds his own, leading Kwei to present him with the final task required to become a Yautja warrior: journeying to a perilous foreign planet to retrieve its toughest specimen as a trophy. Dek ambitiously selects Genna, infamously known as the 'death planet,' vowing to return with the head of a formidable creature called the Kalisk. Kwei reveals that even their father, Njohrr (also voiced by Schuster-Koloamatangi), the stern head of the Yautja clan, harbors fear for Genna.

Before Dek can embark on his mission, Njohrr confronts his sons, expressing disappointment that Kwei has not eliminated Dek, whom he perceives as a weakness due to his smaller stature. Given Dek’s past protection of Kwei, Kwei fiercely defends his brother in a brutal confrontation with Njohrr. In a desperate act, and before being killed by their father, Kwei uses his own ship to launch Dek towards Genna, ensuring Dek has the chance to prove himself to the clan. Upon crashing on Genna, Dek immediately understands why it earned its ominous name; everything on the planet is lethally hostile. Trees attack like giant serpents, worms detonate like grenades, and even the grass is razor-sharp. These dangers precede his encounter with the mighty Kalisk.

Overwhelmed by Genna's dangers, Dek forms an unlikely alliance with Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani synthetic missing her legs, voiced by Elle Fanning. Thia offers to guide Dek through this treacherous land and lead him to the Kalisk, in exchange for assistance in locating her missing lower half. Complicating matters, another Weyland-Yutani synthetic, Tessa (also played by Fanning), is also attempting to capture the Kalisk, following a previous failed attempt that left both Thia and Tessa injured. As Dek embarks on his quest for a trophy alongside Thia, he begins to question whether the traditional Yautja method of solitary hunting is the most effective approach to achieving his goal in this unique environment.

Dan Trachtenberg continues to elevate the Predator franchise to unprecedented levels. In a series primarily defined by predators gruesomely hunting prey, Trachtenberg’s significant contribution has been to infuse nuance and depth into this core concept. Beyond showcasing Predators in diverse historical settings, such as 1700s Comanche tribes, WWII fighter pilots, and 1600s samurai, he has made these narratives emotionally resonant. It is remarkable how Trachtenberg, along with screenwriters Patrick Aison and Brian Duffield (based on a story by Aison and Trachtenberg), manages to evoke empathy for the young Dek, despite his singular objective to kill. Badlands cleverly adds layers to what has traditionally been a one-dimensional character by expanding the origins and lore of this alien race.

The film also offers immense enjoyment by exploring a world where nearly everything is a potential killer. Genna is depicted as a planet teeming with imaginative creature designs and monstrous entities that make the Predators seem almost tame by comparison. More profoundly, Badlands illustrates the intricacies of the planet's ecosystem, demonstrating how seemingly dangerous elements can be harnessed as strengths. Just as the film reveals the multifaceted nature of the Predator, Genna itself shows that even the wildest organisms possess more than one side. The planet’s allure extends beyond the trials Dek endures, creatively unveiling how its various aspects can be wielded advantageously.

Much discussion has surrounded Predator: Badlands' PG-13 rating, a departure from the R-rated predecessors. However, Trachtenberg meticulously maintains intense action; the rating primarily stems from the violence occurring between creatures or synthetics. Trachtenberg once again excels in choreographing action sequences, and the new creature designs facilitate wild, exhilarating fights. He also masterfully portrays compelling battles between two Predators and incorporates clever homages to both the Alien and Predator franchises, leveraging the possibilities of these universes through action. If anything, Trachtenberg makes Predator: Badlands the closest thing to a genuinely good Alien vs. Predator film in years, suggesting that these two brands should collaborate more frequently.

While a minor and occasional issue, some of the more sentimental elements in Badlands feel slightly out of place within the broader Predator universe. Although Dek's personal journey of family, grief, and clan acceptance effectively integrates these emotional aspects into the narrative, providing moments of sensitivity, their inclusion can feel somewhat incongruous with established Predator lore. Nonetheless, finding an emotional core for Dek and his world is not inherently detrimental; it merely presents an occasional tonal shift within the larger scope of what is known about Predators.

The journey in Predator: Badlands is largely a two-hander, powerfully driven by the dynamic between Schuster-Koloamatangi’s Dek and Fanning’s Thia, a relationship that proves quite charming. Dek embodies the strong, silent archetype, while Thia is inquisitive and talkative. Their rapport is delightful and strengthens progressively throughout the film, particularly after they acquire a strange monkey-like companion. The film's success owes much to these two performances. Despite being concealed by a Predator mask, Schuster-Koloamatangi conveys Dek's character through his mannerisms and physicality. Dek is portrayed as less confident than previous Predators, exhibiting moments of fear when overwhelmed, a new emotional dimension for the species. Under substantial makeup and computer animation, Schuster-Koloamatangi imbues Dek with a gripping weight and emotional depth.

Elle Fanning delivers a captivating dual performance. As Thia, she provides a perfect counterbalance to Dek’s demeanor and grounds the story’s humanity. Her portrayal of Tessa, the robotic antagonist, is equally compelling, exuding a style reminiscent of a Hideo Kojima game. Fanning skillfully navigates these distinct roles, transitioning seamlessly from delightful comic relief to chilling antagonist. Between Predator: Badlands and her work in Sentimental Value, 2025 marks a year where Fanning unequivocally demonstrates her versatility and range.

While Predator: Badlands may not deliver the same groundbreaking shock as Prey, it serves as continued testament to the wisdom of entrusting the Predator franchise to Dan Trachtenberg. The writer-director consistently finds brilliant and fascinating avenues to explore and expand the Predator films to an exhilarating degree, making this series better than ever before. Predator: Badlands is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 7.

The film has a runtime of 107 minutes and is rated PG-13 for action, science fiction, adventure, and thriller elements. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the screenplay was written by Dan Trachtenberg, Patrick Aison, John Thomas, and Jim Thomas, with Brent O'Connor, John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Dan Trachtenberg, and Ben Rosenblatt serving as producers. The main cast includes Elle Fanning as Thia / Tessa and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek / Father.