Predator: Badlands embraces a new approach to the series where, from the jump, we are placed firmly in the perspective of a Yautori, the predators that have come for humans in the film’s many episodes. Here, we are meant to connect with the humanity that director Dan Tractenberg gives his alien protagonist.

After an emotional day on his home planet, the Yautori known as Dek is sent to the most deadly planet in many galaxies to prove his worth as a member of his clan. On this planet is a creature feared by all, including the most fearsome Yautori, and Dek as a weaker, slightly defective member of that group faces an impossible mission. As he navigates the other deadly threats on the planet, he meets a synthenic android named Thia (Elle Fanning) whose thorough knowledge of the planet may be the only way that he has a chance to survive. However, Thia’s fellow androids have their own mission and it becomes clear that everyone’s goals will collide, forcing either deadly confrontations or emotional compromise. But Dek has only ever learned to do the former, beginning a journey towards not only becoming the best hunter but perhaps understanding how relationships are the only way to find meaning in life.

(L-R) Elle Fanning as Thia and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek in 20th Century Studios’ PREDATOR: BADLANDS film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The film should be applauded for many things. Tractenberg shows vision and creativity to a franchise that could easily just repeat its old tropes and run them into the ground. Instead, he brings us into a whole new world, using lots of real locations to create a beautiful looking planet with interesting looking creatures and colors that engage the viewers imagination. It hints to a universe and creatures beyond what we see on screen, while making us astonished at the uniqueness of who we see on screen. The way that Dek and Thia interact with each other consistently shifts, creating new ways for both Dek and the creatures around him to engage in combat.

The sound and music in IMAX pulses with tons of energy, accompanying the scenes well, emphasizing the aura of each environment on screen. The film is also aided greatly by a tight script and clean editing. In this 100-minute feature, not a minute is wasted as the film efficiently (maybe too much at times) gets through the emotional beats to make way for more interesting plot turns and action.

(L-R) Mike Homik as Kwei and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek in 20th Century Studios’ PREDATOR: BADLANDS film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The one potential weakness from this very acceptable blockbuster is that it will not get a lot of people emotionally. Even its attempts at humour, which are funny in theory, do not always hit, perhaps due to how much of the first act is steeped in a survival world. Elle Fanning could have been quite annoying as the sidekick who makes quips but her great sense of prescience makes her CGI-based character feel very human and worth watching. She commands the screen and creates an endearing duo with Dek.

The film does have a nice message about family and comradery. For those who think they can do it alone, it becomes clear that some obstacles may be too big for people to handle on their own. As a result, it’s only by working together and protecting each other that we can do more than survive. Dek’s journey from a loner from a clan of fearsome loners to a caring and even more fearsome leader is admirable, leaving a good feeling with the viewer.

Predator: Badlands is available in theatres on Friday, November 7th, 2025.