Predator: Badlands

If you're a fan of sci-fi action with a twist, Predator: Badlands might just be your next favorite watch. This 2025 entry in the long-running Predator franchise flips the script by making the Predator the hero of the story — and not just any Predator, but Dek, a young outcast trying to prove himself in a brutal universe.

The movie kicks off with Dek being cast out from his clan on Yautja Prime, the Predator homeworld. Determined to earn his place, he sets out to hunt a legendary creature called the Kalisk on the deadly planet Genna. Along the way, he forms an unlikely alliance with Thia, a damaged android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, and a quirky native creature named Bud. Together, they face off against hostile environments, corporate interference, and a terrifying apex predator that refuses to stay dead.

Elle Fanning takes on a dual role as both Thia and her more ruthless synthetic sister, Tessa, while Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi brings Dek to life — both physically and emotionally — in a performance that blends practical effects and motion capture. The film leans heavily into world-building, introducing Predator culture, language, and even family drama, all while delivering the kind of action and creature design fans expect.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously helmed Prey, Badlands is a visually rich and thematically bold entry in the series. It draws inspiration from everything from Mad Max to Shadow of the Colossus, and it shows — the landscapes are stunning, the action is intense, and the emotional beats hit harder than you might expect from a Predator movie.

Critics have responded positively, with an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore from audiences. It’s the highest-rated Predator film yet, and for good reason. It’s fresh, exciting, and surprisingly heartfelt.

That said, if you're looking for the traditional Predator formula — humans being hunted in the jungle — this might not be your cup of tea. Badlands is more of a sci-fi adventure with emotional depth and character development, rather than a straight-up survival thriller.

But if you're open to a new take on a classic franchise, Predator: Badlands offers a thrilling ride with a lot of heart (and a fair amount of alien gore). It’s a bold step forward for the series, and one that sets the stage for even more stories to come.