PREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025) – A Sympathetic Predator, Formulaic Thrills, and a Struggle for Originality

Predator: Badlands positions itself as a stand-alone adventure within the mythos that unites the Alien and Predator universes, venturing boldly into a distant future long after the events of earlier franchise films. The omnipresent Weyland-Yutani Corporation—well-known to fans as the architects of dangerous curiosity—once again bankrolls interstellar experiments, shaping the backdrop for this latest outing.

Traditionally, Predator films have depicted their titular aliens as relentless, one-dimensional hunters—formidable and fearsome, but hardly sympathetic. Badlands, however, risks a fresh direction by giving its lead predator, Deck, a legitimate backstory and a discernible, almost relatable personality. Deck emerges less a merciless creature and more an underdog protagonist, inviting audiences to root for him rather than recoil in terror.

Deck’s journey is enriched by his unlikely alliance with Thia, an android played by Elle Fanning, who brings resourcefulness, intelligence, wit, and an unlikely ethical element to the story. Adding a dash of charm, the narrative introduces Bud, a small primate companion who delivers loyal and endearing support reminiscent of the Mandalorian-Grogu dynamic. Together, this trio stands against a cadre of hostile androids dispatched by the ever-meddling Weyland-Yutani, hellbent on capturing alien species for their insidious research agendas. The “Badlands” themselves—the treacherous terrain of planet Genna—serve as both a proving ground for Deck’s alien clan initiation and a crucible for these new alliances.

Despite these promising elements, Predator: Badlands struggles to distinguish itself in a crowded field of blockbuster sci-fi. The film follows a well-trodden path, offering little in the way of surprise or innovation. Character arcs, dialogue, and action set-pieces all echo familiar beats, leaving the film feeling more like a patchwork of genre clichés than a bold new chapter. Unlike its predecessor, Prey, which revitalized the franchise by stripping it back to its primal “hunter vs. hunted” essence, Badlands leans on recycled tropes and an overstuffed narrative, diluting any genuine sense of novelty or suspense. This gap in quality is surprising given that both Prey and Badlands are directed by Dan Trachtenberg.

Ultimately, Badlands falls short of reigniting the franchise or standing tall when compared to recent entries like the TV series, Alien: Earth, which offered richer storytelling and more compelling characters. While there’s nothing egregiously wrong with the film, there’s also little to make it memorable. Predator: Badlands is an adequate but uninspired entry—unlikely to thrill franchise devotees or draw in new fans, but at best serviceable for those simply seeking another familiar hunt.