Skip to main content

Predator: Badlands - Review

Just as he did with Prey and Killer of Killers, Dan Trachtenberg once again breaks new ground with the Predator franchise. Badlands is a bold and badass departure from everything we’ve seen before, proving the Yautja to be a versatile, genre-defying species under the right direction.

By exploring the Predator as a character rather than just a threat, you risk pulling back the curtain too far — but thankfully, that’s not the case here. These creatures are as ruthless and menacing as ever. Dek is the name of this Yautja, and his tribe’s customs are absolutely brutal. They hunt for sport, and the weakest links are slaughtered — even family. It’s a massive expansion of the lore that feels entirely fresh, giving the franchise a true sci-fi identity again. Tonally, it’s refreshingly unique — essentially a buddy team-up movie between Dek and Thia, the chatty top half of a Weyland-Yutani synth.

A still from Predator: Badlands
A still from Predator: Badlands.

The plot is lean, emphasizing character, atmosphere, and action over complex storytelling. Despite the simplicity, it handles its themes with surprising finesse, allowing us to empathize with Dek and his determination to prove his worth. Elle Fanning’s Thia makes for a fun and energetic companion — her upbeat personality clashing perfectly with Dek’s stoicism. The film has heart and humor in unexpected places, and though it takes a moment to adjust to its lighter tone, it ultimately feels like a refreshing change that works beautifully within the franchise.

This is the most expensive Predator movie yet, and it looks the part. Despite a smaller, more personal story, the world feels vast and alive — every detail, from the flora to the creatures, pulses with danger. The CGI blends seamlessly with impressive practical effects, and Dek’s design is remarkable, with jaw-dropping prosthetic detail. The action is exhilarating and inventive — not quite matching the intensity of Killer of Killers, but still packing a serious punch. Even with a PG-13 rating, nothing feels toned down; if it bleeds, Dek will kill it. The bombastic score, filled with guttural vocals and pounding drums, amplifies every sequence.

In Dan Trachtenberg we trust. The director is now three-for-three in reinventing the Predator saga, refusing to retread old ground. What it lacks in narrative depth, it makes up for with thrilling action, emotional weight, and stunning visuals. Badlands is all about the hunt — and it absolutely delivers.

Rating: ★★★★

Review by: Benjamin Garrett

Popular posts from this blog

Rating all V/H/S/Halloween Segments

Like sorting through your candy after a night of trick-or-treating, V/H/S/ Halloween is a mixed bag. The eighth instalment in this cult-favourite horror anthology series comes up short of previous entries, but there are still a couple of treats in here that should satisfy your twisted cravings. A chilling still from V/H/S/ Halloween . Diet Phantasma This wraparound segment follows an R&D team testing a new low-calorie soda made with “real ghosts.” It’s silly fun, but gets a bit repetitive with each new test subject. The commercial playing during the end credits was a nice touch. Rating: ★★½☆ Coochie Coochie Coo This short feels like walking through a haunted house — but not in a good way. The plot is like something torn from a creepypasta thread. Everything is constantly being spelled out in a painfully obvious way. The practical effects and makeup are decent, and this is probably the only segment that comes close to being scary...
Read more

The Mandalorian Season 3 Review

  Listen, I love Star Wars. I will always love Star Wars.  The  original and prequel trilogies were a big part of my childhood, and helped shape my love of cinema. While  The   Mandalorian  isn’t among my favourites in  the  franchise, I thought it had a promising first season and a significantly stronger season two. Season three had so much potential, but a frustrating lack of focus held it back from greatness.  This show’s always had a bit of an identity crisis, but it’s never been as clear as it is here. Does it want to be a procedural-style adventure of  the  week, or tell an epic, multi-season spanning arc? Season one leaned toward  the  former, while Season two found a satisfying balance of both. Season three tries to find that balance, but  the  overarching story it wants to tell is bigger than  the  few episodes allotted to do so. There are only 8 chapters, some barely over 30 min. That’s a fair...
Read more

The Rip Review

  The Rip is all the evidence you need that a great cast can elevate an otherwise run-of-the-mill movie. Without its impressive A-list roster, this would’ve likely been lost among a crowd of forgettable January dumping ground releases. Throw Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and a handful of other extremely talented actors into the mix, though, and now you’ve got something worth watching.  While there are exceptions that prove the rule, a lot of these police/cartel thrillers are interchangeable when it comes to their cookie-cutter story beats. The Rip breaks exactly zero molds, but it also doesn’t feel as uninspired as it could’ve. There are enough surprises to keep things engaging, and the tension - which the movie often hinges on - is appropriately high strung. The action is punchy and loud, which is no surprise coming from Director Joe Carnahan. While I do have minor issues with some of the sequences feeling a bit choppy in how they were shot and edited, the action is solid and packs...
Read more