Sat Nov 08 11:50:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

“Predator: Badlands,” the latest installment in the “Predator” franchise directed by Dan Trachtenberg, introduces an unlikely duo: Thia, an android researcher (Elle Fanning), and Dek, a Predator, who team up on a hostile planet to face corporate villains and other dangers. Trachtenberg, known for revitalizing the franchise with “Prey,” continues to explore new territory by flipping the traditional Predator antagonist role and humanizing the non-human characters. The film follows their journey through a visually engaging and perilous landscape, drawing inspiration from other science fiction and monster movie classics. While the visuals are not always successful, the evolving dynamic between Thia and Dek is the film’s most compelling element, showcasing vulnerabilities and building viewer sympathy. Ultimately, the film’s success lies in its ability to refresh a familiar franchise with new ideas, drawing on the enduring appeal of its iconic characters and effective filmmaking.

News Article:

Predator and Android Team Up in ‘Predator: Badlands’

HOLLYWOOD – The “Predator” franchise takes an unexpected turn with the release of “Predator: Badlands,” directed by Dan Trachtenberg (known for “Prey”). This latest installment features an unlikely alliance between Thia (Elle Fanning), an android researcher stranded on a dangerous planet, and Dek, a Predator portrayed as a renegade with unexpected sensitivities.

The film follows their odyssey across a hostile landscape, where they face off against a venal corporation and other lurking threats. “Badlands” explores the vulnerabilities of both characters, building viewer sympathy and humanizing the non-human leads in a refreshing twist on the franchise’s established formula.

Trachtenberg continues to expand the “Predator” universe, building on the success of “Prey,” which revitalized the series with a focus on character development and suspense. While some visuals might be deemed unfortunate, the evolving relationship between Thia and Dek is a compelling feature.

“Predator: Badlands” is now playing in theaters.

Read More