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“Yautja are prey to none. Friend to none. Predator to all.”

“Predator: Badlands” opens with this on-screen text. It tells us nothing new about the franchise’s known alien species. But from the start, you can tell the film is taking a different approach from its predecessors.

The film flips the formulaic “Predator” approach on its fanged, reptilian-like head. Beginning with the 1987 original, the premise usually shows humans trying to survive the Yautjas. Here, a Yautja is the hero.

This is director Dan Trachtenberg’s third entry in the series, following 2022’s “Prey” and this year’s animated “Predator: Killer of Killers.” “Predator: Badlands” features a Yautja protagonist for the first time in the franchise’s nearly four-decade-long run and boasts a surprisingly heartwarming tone, touching on themes of belonging. It also earned the franchise’s best box office opening.

Though “Predator: Badlands” stands alone, it takes place in the “Predator” universe. It’s the first entry in the distant future, at least 300 years after the events of the original.

The film follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a runt who is cast out of his Yautja clan. Dek’s father, Njohrr (Reuben de Jong, voiced by Schuster-Koloamatangi), instructs his older son, Kwei (Michael Homick, voiced by Stefan Grube), to kill Dek. Instead, Kwei sacrifices himself and activates his ship, which takes Dek to the “Death Planet” of Genna.

On Genna, Dek’s goal is to slay the Kalisk — an unkillable beast that even Njohrr fears — and bring a piece of it back home. However, he soon becomes the prey when faced with Genna’s environmental predators, like constricting vines, razor grass and massive beasts.

Dek eventually meets Thia (Elle Fanning), an android stranded on Genna who helps him search for the Kalisk. Together, they join forces with Bud (voiced by Rohinal Nayaran), an animal native to Genna who saves them.

The unlikely formation of this tribe — a scrappy, solitary hunter, talkative synthetic and adorable, tough creature — creates superb character dynamics. Yautja typically hunt alone, so Dek leaves Bud while she’s sleeping. He continues traveling with Thia, although she annoys him, because he considers her a “tool.”

Katie Crews | Design Editor

This trio ironically reminded me of “Shrek” — and that’s a major compliment. A rejected brute (Shrek/Dek) teams up with an irritating sidekick (Donkey/Thia) to slay a legendary beast (Dragon/Kalisk) and ends up gaining a sweet, strong companion (Princess Fiona/Bud).

Fanning sneakily carries “Predator: Badlands,” delivering a thoughtful performance. Though Dek is the protagonist, Thia is the glue, driving the plot with her knowledge of Genna.

She shows her range by portraying Thia’s ruthless sister, Tessa, too. Writer Patrick Aison creatively represents the duality of artificial intelligence — its potential dangers and benefits — through the counterparts. It felt intentional to include a good and evil android, considering the skepticism around generative AI in our world.

Also, both answer to the computer mainframe MU/TH/UR (voiced by Alison Wright), a hint to the film’s connection to the “Alien” franchise.

Thia longed to reunite with Tessa, but when they finally do, Tessa devastatingly calls her weak. It’s a stinging parallel to Dek’s relationship with his father, which makes Dek and Thia’s eventual alliance even more comforting.

I’d be remiss not to give Bud — my favorite character — some love. With bug eyes, she looks like a cross between a monkey and a pug. There’s a delightfully funny scene where she imitates Dek’s every move like a child poking the bear.

While I appreciate “Predator: Badlands” for delivering wholesome vibes, the climax was lazy. Tessa, inside a mechanical machine, fights Dek in a predictable battle. An incredible montage showing Dek setting up booby traps that use Genna’s environment (“Home Alone” style) was a highlight of the film, but the actual fight sequence that ensues dragged on and felt routine.

Still, the movie ends on a solid note. Dek’s return to his home planet is satisfying and cleanly sets up a sequel for the newfound trio.

“Predator: Badlands” is the first flick I’ve watched in the ScreenX format, and like the movie, I’d experience it again, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t.

ScreenX, which replaced the 4DX experience at Regal Destiny USA in late October, enhances the film. ScreenX — the first ever multiprojection theater experience — delivers a 270-degree panoramic view. Certain scenes expand onto the walls on either side of the main screen.

The engrossing atmosphere of Genna is a strength of the film, and ScreenX makes it come to life. It’s breathtaking to see enormous animals walk from your peripheral vision onto the screen directly in front of you. The format helps the audience comprehend the scale of specific moments.

The downside is that the picture quality is significantly worse on the walls, but it isn’t super distracting if you only look at it in your peripheral vision; then, it’s immersive.

“Predator: Badlands” is a harmless, fun action flick with a wholesome spin. It’s not the most memorable movie, but consistently ranks high among the franchise. Like ScreenX compared to IMAX, “Predator: Badlands” is worth experiencing, but it doesn’t live up to the gold standard of the original.

Published on November 11, 2025 at 10:17 pm