Review: 'Predator: Badlands' an entertaining 'Predator' movie that hasn't lived up to the original

08 Nov 2025, 05:01 by John Clyde kslcom contributor · KSL.com

Growing up, my older brother and I had a "stop, drop and shout" rule. The idea was pretty simple: If we were channel surfing and came upon one of a handful of movies, regardless of whether it was just starting or nearly over, we stopped immediately, dropped the remote and shouted for the absent brother to join the living room.

One of the titles on our select list was "Predator." Were we too young to be watching it? Probably. Did we care? Not at all.

"Predator" is the perfect '80s action flick: over-the-top characters, tons of explosions, practical effects, classic Schwarzenegger one-liners and the bro-iest dap to ever be dapped. Even now, the film is wildly entertaining. If I stumbled across it on TV today, you better believe I'd still stop, drop and shout — except I'd be shouting into the phone at my brother.

Then came "Predator 2," a couple of failed attempts at crossovers with the "Alien" universe, and reboots that mostly missed the mark. "Prey" managed to surprise me; it wasn't the absurd magic of the original, but it was entertaining, grounded and reminded us why we loved "Predator" in the first place.

Now we have "Predator: Badlands." How does this latest entry hold up? Here's my take.

The good

Being in the 'Predator' world is fun

One of the biggest draws of "Predator: Badlands" is simply being in that universe again. There's a thrill in watching characters navigate the deadly world of the Yautja, and the movie keeps the action coming at a solid pace.

Unlike some of the franchise missteps, this one doesn't linger too long on exposition. It's constantly pushing forward, giving us new challenges, traps and close encounters to keep us invested.

Learning about Yautja culture

This film also delves deeper into the culture of the Yautja, and it's as fascinating as it is terrifying. There's a particular scene exploring their rituals that had my son leaning over to whisper, "That was dark." He wasn't wrong.

"Badlands" does a great job showing the Predator not just as a mindless hunter but as part of a highly ritualized, violent society. This exploration of their culture gives the movie some fresh perspective, especially since this time the Predator is more of a protagonist than an antagonist. Surprisingly, they even manage to make the alien likable, which is no small feat.

Elle Fanning brings balance and humor

Adding Elle Fanning as Thia was a smart choice. Her character, despite not being human, infuses the story with humor and humanity, helping us connect with the characters while keeping the stakes high.

She provides levity without derailing the tension, and her interactions with both the Predator and the other characters help anchor the audience in a world that's otherwise filled with relentless danger.

Action that delivers

The action sequences are solid, almost constant, and executed with care. While the original films focused on humans adapting to a Predator's hunting prowess, this time the focus shifts: the Yautja learns from its surroundings, adapting and becoming the Predator.

The formula of the original "Predator" movies is intact, but this new perspective keeps things interesting. The fights are exciting, the chases are tense, and the practical and CGI effects are both impressive. This movie keeps your heart rate up.

The not so good

A few moments drag

While the film keeps a generally brisk pace, there are a few stretches where it feels like the story slows down too much. These quieter moments aren't bad — they give the audience a breather — but they occasionally pull you out of the tension and make you wish things were moving faster.

Adorable humor feels out of place

There are also moments when the filmmakers attempt humor that leans cute or whimsical. The intent is clear: They want to balance the terror and action with some levity. But it feels slightly out of place given the rest of the movie's tone and stakes. It doesn't ruin the experience, but it occasionally feels jarring against the darker, more serious aspects of the Predator universe.

What parents should know

"Predator: Badlands" takes the franchise in a new direction and is actually rated PG-13. That hasn't happened since "Alien vs. Predator" in 2004.

What you should know is that there is still plenty of violence, stabbings, killings and all other sorts of mayhem in this movie. The reason it gets a PG-13 is that none of it involves any humans. In fact, there are no humans in this movie. Everything being killed is either an alien or a synthetic robot, so there's no blood — well, no red blood anyway.

There is no foul language in the movie, either, but parents should be aware that the storyline includes darker, scarier tones. After all, it's a "Predator" movie — meaning there are literally predators out and about looking to kill for sport.

When it comes to foul language or sex, both are minimal to nonexistent in this movie. Violence and dark tones, though? Frequent and sometimes brutal.

Conclusion

"Predator: Badlands" is an entertaining addition to the Predator franchise. It offers plenty of action, deepens our understanding of Yautja culture, and introduces characters like Thia to balance the carnage with humor and heart. Seeing the Predator as a protagonist is a fresh take, and the constant tension and inventive set pieces make the movie worth the price of admission.

That said, it isn't perfect. A few pacing lulls and moments of awkward humor keep it from fully achieving the thrill and cohesion of the originals. While it doesn't reach the heights of the 1987 "Predator," it comfortably outpaces most of the other sequels and reboots that have come before.

For fans of the franchise, or anyone looking for an action-packed, suspenseful ride, you could do worse.

"Predator: Badlands" is officially rated PG-13 for sequences of strong sci-fi violence.