Predator: Badlands – Savage Thrills and Surprising Laughs in Yautja Country

Satisfying action and unexpected humor make Predator: Badlands a wild new hunt that’s worth catching on the big screen.

Absolutely no spoilers… just rad insight that adds to your movie-going experience!

A Missed Premiere, But Worth the Wait

I was invited to an immersive 4DX premiere of Predator: Badlands on November 4 in LA, but a schedule conflict meant I caught the film a few days later. It turns out it was well worth the wait. Predator: Badlands is the ninth installment in the franchise, yet it feels fresh. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (who gave us Prey and the animated Predator: Killer of Killers), this film takes the series in exciting new directions, even making a Yautja (the Predator’s species) our hero. The result is a highly entertaining ride that balances savage sci-fi action with a dose of fun.

Story – A New Hunt with a Twist

Set in the future on a remote planet, the story follows Dek, a young Yautja outcast who crash lands on a hostile world and must prove himself worthy of the hunt. In a twist, Dek teams up with Thia, a marooned android (from Weyland-Yutani, of Alien fame… a corporation that always seems up to no good) to survive and take down a terrifying apex creature called the Kalisk. It’s a great concept that expands the Predator lore by exploring Yautja culture and even language.

Trachtenberg clearly knows how to deepen the franchise’s mythology. Badlands is set on the Predator homeworld and focuses on their clan society in a way no previous film has. We see Predator clan politics, honor codes, and even hear the Yautja language, which is a special treat for long time fans. The story is compelling overall, although the final act crams in a lot. The climax brings multiple showdowns (including a family face-off back on Yautja Prime) that get a little muddled, but ultimately it delivers a satisfying ending for Dek’s journey, while cheekily teasing more to come.

Tone – Surprisingly Funny Moments

One thing that caught me off guard: this movie is funny. Yes, a Predator film with humor! The banter between stone-cold Dek and Thia’s deadpan wit adds a light buddy comedy vibe in places. There’s even an adorable sidekick of sorts, a baby creature that Thia nicknames “Bud,” who tags along and provides some comic relief amid the carnage.

The original Predator (1987) had plenty of hilarious one-liners, and Badlands doesn’t disappoint there, finding comedy in the unlikely friendship between a lethal alien and a snarky synthetic. It’s a refreshing tonal balance. You’ll laugh one moment and grip your seat the next. Importantly, the humor doesn’t undermine the Predator’s badassery; it just makes the characters more relatable and the thrills more fun.

Action & Effects – No Skimping on the Spectacle

Visually, Badlands is top-notch. The CGI creatures and alien vistas are stunning. I didn’t spot any wonky effects or cheap greenscreen moments. With a hefty $105 million budget, the film’s graphics team brought their A-game for sure. The Kalisk (the big bad creature) and other alien fauna look fantastic and menacing. Action scenes are inventive and clear. One highlight is a mid-film sequence where Dek loses his high-tech gear and goes primitive. He crafts organic weapons from the environment to spring traps on enemies, a clever homage to Dutch’s mud-caked guerrilla tactics in the 1987 original. The set pieces escalate nicely, from stealthy Predator hunts to an all out climactic battle. Listen, I highly recommend seeing this film in theaters for the full picture and sound experience.

The sound design and 4DX-worthy thrills (roaring creatures, explosions, that iconic Predator clicking) are best enjoyed on a big screen with booming audio. This is a Predator movie that truly delivers on effects and sound, earning a full 5/5 in that department from me.

Image via 20th Century Studios

Direction & Lore – Trachtenberg in Top Form

Director Dan Trachtenberg has now proven three times that he understands what makes Predator tick. With Prey (2022) he took us to the past, with Killer of Killers (2025) he experimented in animation, and now with Badlands he pushes the lore forward.

Indeed, Badlands feels fresh because it doesn’t just rehash “Predator hunts humans.” It really flips the script. By making a Predator the protagonist, Trachtenberg turns “one of cinema’s most iconic brutes into a hero worth rooting for. Yet he doesn’t forget the roots. Badlands is packed with references and respect for the franchise history. The film draws influence from classic Westerns and survival films (think Mad Max 2 in an alien wilderness), giving it an adventurous, almost mythic tone at times. It’s Trachtenberg’s confident direction and love of the material that keep the movie cohesive even as it expands the universe. If I had to nitpick, the plot pacing in the last 20 minutes could have been tighter (hence a 4/5 for plot and cohesion), but overall his storytelling kept me fully engaged.

Easter Eggs & Franchise Nods

Long-time Predator aficionados will be grinning at the many Easter eggs. Remember the trophy room scene at the end of Predator 2 (1990) with all the skulls (including that famous Xenomorph head)? Badlands steps it up. Early in the film we see a Predator trophy wall loaded with exotic skulls. You need to look closely. They’re not just random aliens. Fans have spotted an Independence Day alien skull (confirmed as a Harvester from ID4 by the director) among the trophies. The one that stood out to me right away was the Tyrannosaurus rex skull proudly on display, implying these Predators have hunted on Earth’s prehistoric past (or at least taken a dino as a souvenir)!

It’s really awesome to see these thoughtful references in a film. The film also slyly references the broader Alien/Predator universe. For example, a climactic fight involves a power-loader style mech, clearly evoking Ripley’s showdown in Aliens. And if you watch closely, Dek’s final battle plan (using natural mud, traps and handmade weapons) mirrors Dutch’s iconic last stand in the 1987 original, bringing the homage full circle. All these references are woven in organically, so new viewers won’t miss out, but fans get that extra thrill of recognition.

On that note, if you haven't seen all the Predator films, don’t worry about it. You don’t need to know anything about The Predator to appreciate and enjoy this film experience!

Image via 20th Century Studios

Verdict – A Must See Big Screen Hunt

Overall, Predator: Badlands was a blast from start to finish. It’s the most fun I’ve had with a sci-fi film in a while. The film is highly entertaining, combining 5/5 entertainment value (I was never bored for a second) with strong craftsmanship. The plot may wobble slightly under the weight of its big ideas (hence a 4/5 for story cohesion), but it sticks the landing with a rousing finale. The visuals, creature effects, and sound get a 5/5 – absolutely top-tier. And while I won’t “rate” the Easter eggs, I will say they made my inner fanboy very happy.

As for my personal rating style – I’m giving Predator: Badlands 5 out of 5 “Jumbo Popcorn Buckets” 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 for pure entertainment. It’s that good. In other words, definitely make time to see this in cinemas.

Whether you’re a die-hard Predator junkie dropping “Yautja” in casual convo, or a newbie just looking for a thrilling sci-fi adventure, this flick delivers. Predator: Badlands is a wild hunt you won’t regret joining. Grab your concessions and and enjoy the ride!

Nostalgia Nation Movie Rating:

Entertainment: 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 (absolute blast)

Plot & Cohesion: 🍿🍿🍿🍿 (engaging, with a few muddy bits toward the end)

Effects & Sound: 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 (top-notch visuals and audio, must see in cinema)

Easter Eggs: N/A

Recommendation and total score: Predator: Badlands earns 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 from me.

It’s absolutely worth leaving the comfort of your home to experience on the big screen!