The first reactions to the latest outing in the long-running action sci-fi franchise, Predator, have now been unleashed. So, does Prey director Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands live up to the filmmaker’s critically acclaimed predecessor? Or have we sadly stumbled back into The Predator territory? Let’s find out…
Wasting as little time as possible, we’re pleased to report that Predator: Badlands continues Trachtenberg’s glorious renewal of the franchise following both Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. Reactions so far have heaped praise on this latest approach to the sci-fi series, with X/Twitter user and critic @LuminousDagger saying…
“PREDATOR: BADLANDS is the visual proof we need to crown Dan Trachtenberg the pioneer of the PREDATOR franchise. With each movie he continues to break the boundaries of what this franchise is capable of as he switches from an action/horror to a sci-fi/fantasy adventure.”
Applauded for taking big, bold swings, the consensus so far is that Predator: Badlands has something for everyone as it tells this story of a young Predator (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, who finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning), with the pair embarking on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. @DrewTailored adds…
“#PredatorBadlands is a tremendous accomplishment — funny, scary, thrilling, emotional, with memorable characters/creatures with smartly staged action and ‘80s sci-fi fantasy vibes. Maybe most impressive is it works for franchise die hards but is just as accessible for newcomers.”
@JakesTakes admits they were “hesitant walking into PREDATOR: BADLANDS,” but they found “another breath of fresh air in the series. A film as creative, bold and even violent as the original…but also surprisingly funny? Just give Dan the keys to the franchise.” Similarly, @AmonWarmann concludes, “Predator: Badlands is friggin’ awesome. Inventive action, organic comedy, and a story I was fully invested in. Dan Trachtenberg continues to push all the right buttons with this franchise. Impressive.”
‘Predator: Badlands’ Promises to Be the Most Action-Packed Installment Yet
Based on these early reactions, it certainly sounds like Predator: Badlands could be the most action-packed installment in the franchise so far. @thebrosgeekout calls it “one hell of an action ride,” before adding…
“Just got out of #PredatorBadlands and it’s one hell of an action ride a brutal, emotional journey of a Predator finding acceptance. Some of the best hand-to-hand combat I’ve seen in ages.”
Echoing these sentiments, @EammonJacobs calls Predator: Badlands “a cosmic buddy road movie and it’s all killer no filler. Dan Trachtenberg smartly maneuvers the franchise to a grander scale than just another survival horror. It might not be as traditionally gory, but I had a blast with it.”
However, while the vast majority of the reactions have been hugely positive, there are some criticisms to be found. While @bartonreviews calls Badlands “a pretty badass expansion of the Predator franchise,” he adds that it’s Dan Trachtenberg’s “weakest work in the franchise yet.”
“It’s the most action-packed Predator film yet, some of it as brutal as you’d expect, while other moments rely more on the comedic aspect brought into the film. It’s an interesting angle to take with a Predator film, and one that doesn’t always work, the film feeling a bit like The Mandalorian at times. When it’s good though, it’s GOOD.”
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Predator: Badlands is scheduled to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
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