Predator: Badlands (2025) Review — Dan Trachtenberg Expands the Franchise With Sci-Fi Ambition and Heart
Just when you thought the Predator franchise couldn’t get any more thrilling, Dan Trachtenberg is back to prove us all wrong. After the visceral, stripped-down success of Prey, the director is expanding the universe with Predator: Badlands. The initial wave of reviews is pouring in, and the excitement is palpable. Critics are hailing it as a fresh, ambitious, and emotionally resonant entry that might just be one of the best in the entire series. So, what’s all the hype about? Let’s dive into the gory details of what makes Predator: Badlands a can’t-miss cinematic event.
What is the Tone of Predator: Badlands?
One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind was how Trachtenberg would follow up the raw, primal energy of Prey. Would he deliver another historical survival-horror flick, or take the franchise in a new direction? The answer, it seems, is a bold leap forward. Predator: Badlands is being described as a full-blown sci-fi epic, leaning heavily into the lore of the Yautja and the infamous Weyland-Yutani Corporation.
Critics are calling it a “rollicking good time” and a “risk-taking sci-fi we don’t see enough of nowadays.” Unlike the gritty, back-to-basics feel of Prey, Badlands seems to be expanding the world in every conceivable way. It’s less of a pure horror/action film and more of a grand, mythic adventure with themes of family, survival, and even self-discovery. This isn’t just another hunt; it’s a coming-of-age story set against a stunning, alien backdrop. That said, don’t expect it to be a gentle ride. The action is described as “crisp, brutal, and shot with real clarity,” with a PG-13 rating that apparently pushes the limits of on-screen violence.
How Elle Fanning Shines in Predator: Badlands
The true heart of Predator: Badlands appears to be its characters, particularly the lead played by Elle Fanning. In a move that has critics buzzing, Fanning pulls double duty, playing two androids named Thia and Tessa. This isn’t just a gimmick; her performance is being lauded as a “sprightly breath of fresh air” and the emotional anchor of the entire film. Many are comparing her role to the iconic performances of Ian Holm and Michael Fassbender as previous Weyland-Yutani androids, noting that she brings a unique vibrancy and radiance to the part.
Her chemistry with co-star Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays the Predator protagonist “Dek,” is the engine that drives the narrative. Their odd-couple dynamic is reportedly what sells the film’s more emotional beats. Schuster-Koloamatangi’s ability to convey deep emotion through the eyes of a Yautja, combined with Fanning’s layered performance, creates a partnership that feels both unexpected and completely engaging. It’s this focus on character development that seems to elevate Badlands beyond a simple creature feature, offering something with genuine heart and pathos.
How Predator: Badlands Fits Into the Predator Timeline
For fans who live and breathe the lore, the placement of Predator: Badlands in the timeline is a hot topic. Prey took us back to 1719, becoming the earliest chronological story in the franchise. Badlands, however, seems to be a future-set sequel that runs parallel to the events of Prey in a thematic sense, while pushing the timeline forward.
The film serves as a direct sequel to Prey, continuing Dan Trachtenberg’s new vision for the franchise. The key connection, and the part that has fans buzzing, is the explicit inclusion of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien universe. While the Alien vs. Predator films exist in their own chaotic corner of the canon, Badlands is being praised for integrating these two cinematic titans in a way that feels “smart, seamless, and surprisingly elegant.” This isn’t just a clumsy crossover; it’s a deliberate expansion of the mythos, suggesting a shared universe that could have massive implications for both franchises moving forward. Trachtenberg seems to be laying the groundwork for a much larger story, one that respects the history of both series while forging a new, exciting path.
