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Credit: 20th Century Studios<\/p>\n
The Predator franchise has brought us a number of worthy sci-fi action flicks dating back to 1987, but when Predator: Badlands hits the 2025 movie calendar<\/a> next week, it will be unlike any that came before it, with director Dan Trachtenberg (Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers) choosing to focus on the Predator itself<\/a>. The movie has screened, so what do audiences think of this twist?<\/p>\n Predator: Badlands stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek, a young Predator who has been outcast from his clan. He finds an unlikely ally in Elle Fanning\u2019s Thia, and the two set out on a quest. Eammon Parks Jacobs of Dexerto<\/a> had a \u201cblast\u201d with the upcoming action movie<\/a>, which he says has buddy comedy\/road trip vibes. The critic posted:<\/p>\n Predator Badlands is a cosmic buddy road movie and it\u2019s all killer no filler. Dan Trachtenberg smartly maneuvers the franchise to a grander scale than just another survival horror. It might not be as traditionally gory, but I had a blast with it.<\/p>\n The Brothers Geek Out podcast<\/a> also had fun with the action and recommends catching this on in the theater<\/a>. In their words:<\/p>\n Just got out of Predator: Badlands and it\u2019s one hell of an action ride a brutal, emotional journey of a Predator finding acceptance. Some of the best hand-to-hand combat I\u2019ve seen in ages. \ud83d\udd25 Don\u2019t miss this one on the big screen!<\/p>\n Predator: Badlands is the first Predator movie to be rated PG-13<\/a>, and that element confuses Naomi Roper of The Geek Goddesses<\/a>, as she questions what audience Dan Trachtenberg is trying to attract. In her words:<\/p>\n Dan Trachtenberg is a brave brave man. This is a Predator movie for kids. I enjoyed it enormously but don\u2019t know who it\u2019s for. It\u2019s Disneyified with an eye to selling merch. It\u2019s cute. Elle Fanning rules as you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n Others who saw the movie are also commenting on the \u201cbig swings\u201d taken by the director, and like the critic above, Neil Vagg of Get Your Comic On<\/a> writes that he enjoyed the movie despite it not being as much of a horror flick as others on the 2025 horror movie calendar<\/a> or the other films in the franchise. He posts:<\/p>\n Dan Trachtenberg is taking a big swing with Predator: Badlands, bringing the franchise out of horror and presenting a straight up sci-fi adventure. It\u2019s a big budget, crowd pleasing spectacle. Die-hards may struggle but there is a lot to love for those willing to join the ride.<\/p>\n Phil Roberts of Future of the Force<\/a> agrees fans of the franchise may have some trouble with how different this offering is, but he still finds it an \u201cepic spectacle.\u201d More from Roberts:<\/p>\n Dan Trachtenberg\u2019s Predator: Badlands is an epic spectacle that takes us on a deep dive into Yautja mythology. More sci-fi epic than a traditional Predator film, it takes some big swings that don\u2019t always land. Despite its bold approach, legacy fans may be left disappointed.<\/p>\n And in another X post about the director\u2019s bold choices, Paul Klein of Film Hounds<\/a> says the movie will likely be divisive, but he finds it refreshing to see the franchise try something fresh and not recycle an old formula. Klein says:<\/p>\n Dan Tratchenberg takes some swings with Predator: Badlands and I respect that. Not all of it works, and it\u2019ll probably divide fans but it\u2019s refreshing for a franchise to try something new and not be content with formula. Great score and creature design.<\/p>\n