Predator:Badlands

father: "Perhaps the right son did survive. Yield now, and take your place in our clan."
Dek: "I have my own clan."

release year: 2025
genre: sci-fi/action/adventure
viewing setting: home streamnig 3/14/26

synopsis: A Predator who's fierce and aggressive, but smaller than normal, flees his homeworld to prove his worth by seeking out the toughest monster around and bringing back its head.

impressions: This is something completely original: a story based not around humans but a Predator. There are also some synthetic people, and they work for the company from the Aliens film series so there's that link. There are also some nods to other films (from both series) and a bit of a cliffhanger ending. Some things I liked: the fact that every single thing on the planet was dangerous, the way Dek learned to utilize those things for his final battle. Some things I didn't like: the banter from the legless android in the beginning, the way that various creatures or things Dek used corresponded to real Predator weapons that he lacked. All in all, this was worth seeing, and I would watch sequels.

acting: Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi is - under a lot of makeup/effects - the runt Predator who wants to prove himself, and does a good job being grim and serious. Elle Fanning plays two characters: the sassy legless Thia and the evil Tessa; in the first role she's annoying at first but settles down. That's about all I've got to say; the rest of the cast were all brief/costumed or voiceless.

final word: New and different type of Predator movie, fairly well-done and entertaining.

back to the main review page