Predator: Badlands Early Buzz: A Bold New Cosmic Hunt Approaches!

The highly anticipated new chapter in the Predator saga, Predator: Badlands, is hitting theaters soon, and early reactions are in! Director Dan Trachtenberg is shaking things up big time, giving us a sci-fi adventure with a familiar face in a new light.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the New Predator Movie

• A Fresh Angle: Predator: Badlands flips the script, making a young outcast Predator the protagonist in a cosmic buddy road trip.
• Star Power & New Faces: Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi lead the charge, both taking on dual, intriguing roles.
• Genre Shift & PG-13 Rating: Expect more sci-fi adventure than traditional horror, with a PG-13 rating aimed at broadening the audience, but still promising intense action.

A Brand-New Direction for the Legendary Predator Franchise

Alright, folks, buckle up! The Predator franchise, which has been serving up iconic sci-fi action since way back in 1987, is about to drop its eighth installment into the expanded universe, and it’s looking seriously different. We’re talking about Predator: Badlands, and if you thought director Dan Trachtenberg (who gave us the brilliant Prey and the animated series Predator: Killer of Killers) was done innovating, think again.

This isn't just another hunt. Predator: Badlands is taking a massive swing, shifting the focus from humans being the prey to, get this, a Predator becoming the protagonist! That's right, we're diving deep into Yautja mythology and culture in a way we haven't seen before. The film has already had some early screenings, and the buzz is wild, suggesting Trachtenberg has once again managed to deliver something fresh and exciting while still respecting the franchise's brutal roots.

Unveiling the Unique Story and Shifting Genre Landscape

So, what exactly makes Badlands so unique? Well, imagine a "cosmic buddy road movie." That's how Eammon Parks Jacobs of Dexerto described it, praising its "all killer no filler" approach and how Trachtenberg smartly maneuvers the franchise to a "grander scale than just another survival horror." Many critics are echoing this sentiment: it’s less about straight-up horror and more about a thrilling sci-fi adventure. Naomi Roper of The Geek Goddesses even called it a "Predator movie for kids" that's "Disneyified with an eye to selling merch," which highlights just how much of a departure it is for some!

The film centers on Dek, a young Predator outcast played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who's been exiled from his clan. His journey for redemption (or to find his ultimate adversary, depending on which synopsis you read!) leads him to an unlikely ally in Thia, portrayed by the incredible Elle Fanning. Thia is a damaged Weyland-Yutani synth, which is a super cool nod to the larger Alien and Predator shared universe. This dynamic duo sets off on a quest across a deadly remote planet, facing evolving threats and redefining what a Predator story can be.

And about that PG-13 rating? Yes, it's true. This is the first solo Predator film to get a PG-13 in the US (the UK got a 12A rating with a runtime of 107m 23s), with the 2004 crossover Alien vs. Predator being the only other franchise entry with that rating. Trachtenberg himself revealed he was aiming for a "PG-13 that feels like an R" to broaden the audience. While some die-hard fans might initially balk at the idea of a less gory Predator, many early viewers suggest it still delivers plenty of intense action and emotional depth without needing an R-rating to feel impactful.

Getting to Know the Stellar Cast and Creative Visionaries

The talent behind Predator: Badlands is definitely something to rave about. Director Dan Trachtenberg is clearly a visionary for this franchise, having successfully revitalized it with Prey and continued that creative streak with the animated series Predator: Killer of Killers. His goal here was to push boundaries, expanding the Yautja mythology and exploring new genres within the Predator world.

Leading the charge on screen are two compelling actors. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi takes on the complex role of Dek, the outcast Predator protagonist. But wait, there's more! He also plays Dek's father, Njohur – pretty impressive, though likely hidden under some epic prosthetics. Then there's Elle Fanning, who is earning major praise for her dual roles as Thia, the damaged Weyland-Yutani synth who becomes Dek's ally, and Tessa, another antagonistic synth. Critics like Chris Gallardo of PopTernative specifically note how "Fanning charms (and scares!)" in her performance. Mike Homik rounds out the main cast as Kwei, Dek's older brother, who helps prepare him for his first hunt.

Beyond the acting, the film promises a "great score and creature design," as noted by Paul Klein of Film Hounds, and some of "the best hand-to-hand combat I’ve seen in ages," according to The Brothers Geek Out podcast. Plus, a conlanger (language creator) who worked on James Cameron's Avatar even developed a written and verbal language for the Predators, which is a fantastic detail for hardcore lore fans!

Initial Reactions: What Early Viewers Are Absolutely Loving (and Questioning)

The early word on Predator: Badlands is largely positive, albeit with a healthy dose of conversation around its bold new direction. Many critics are genuinely excited about the fresh take:

"Predator Badlands is a cosmic buddy road movie and it’s 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."

– Eammon Parks Jacobs, Dexerto

Others like Amon Warmann of Empire found it "friggin' awesome" with "inventive action, organic comedy, and a story I was fully invested in." The Brothers Geek Out podcast called it "one hell of an action ride," highlighting a "brutal, emotional journey of a Predator finding acceptance." Neil Vagg of Get Your Comic On and Phil Roberts of Future of the Force both praised it as an "epic spectacle" that dives deep into Yautja mythology, a sentiment echoed by Christopher Rates It of Nexus Point News, who highlighted the "outstanding fight choreography and excellent performances." Dave O'Flanagan acknowledged it as a "departure" but called it "clever and fun and funny and cool as fuck," urging audiences to go in with an open mind.

However, this new direction isn't without its potential sticking points for some long-time fans. Critics noted that "die-hards may struggle" and "legacy fans may be left disappointed" because it's "more sci-fi epic than a traditional Predator film" and not as much of a horror flick. Josh Barton of Film Hounds Magazine, while finding it "a pretty badass expansion," also called it Trachtenberg's "weakest work in the franchise yet" and felt it sometimes leaned "a bit like The Mandalorian" with its comedic aspects, which "doesn't always work." Aaron Percival of AVPGalaxy stated "P1/P2 purists will not be on board with this though." It seems the "big swings" Trachtenberg is taking mean the movie will likely be "divisive," as Paul Klein noted, but many appreciate the attempt to avoid simply recycling an old formula.

Expanding the Epic Predator Universe and Beyond

Dan Trachtenberg is clearly the architect of the new Predator era. After the massive streaming success of 2022's prequel Prey on Hulu, he followed up with the R-rated animated series Predator: Killer of Killers, which premiered on June 6 and also garnered positive reviews. Badlands is the next big step, and Trachtenberg has even hinted at a mysterious third Predator project in development, leading to speculation it might be a Prey 2.

The film further solidifies the expanded universe connections with the mention of Thia being a Weyland-Yutani synth, a direct link to the Alien franchise. Plus, there’s a tie-in prequel comic book from Marvel Comics set to drop on November 12, offering even more lore for fans who can’t get enough. This dedication to world-building, from new languages to inter-franchise nods, shows a real commitment to making the Predator universe feel richer and more expansive than ever before.

When and Where You Can Embark on This Cosmic Journey

You won't have to wait much longer to form your own opinion on this exciting new chapter! Predator: Badlands is officially hitting theaters nationwide on November 7, 2025. If you're eager to catch it even sooner, 20th Century Studios and FlickDirect hosted free advance screenings in select Florida cities – Miami, Orlando, and Tampa – on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM. So, mark your calendars and get ready for what promises to be an action-packed, conversation-starting sci-fi adventure!

Predator: Badlands FAQs – Your Burning Questions Answered

Got some quick questions about this epic new Predator flick? We've got you covered!

When Does Predator: Badlands Release?

You can catch Predator: Badlands in theaters nationwide starting November 7, 2025. Some lucky Florida fans got early screenings on November 4th.

What is Predator: Badlands Rated?

In the US, Predator: Badlands is rated PG-13 for "sequences of strong sci-fi violence." In the UK, it received a 12A certificate for "moderate violence, threat, injury detail." This marks a first for a solo Predator film!

What's the Runtime for Predator: Badlands?

The film runs for 107 minutes and 23 seconds (107m 23s), according to the UK certification.

Will Predator: Badlands Be Available for Streaming?

Currently, Predator: Badlands is slated for an exclusive theatrical release on November 7, 2025. There's no confirmed streaming release date yet, but since it's a 20th Century Studios film, it will likely head to a platform like Hulu or Disney+ eventually, following its theatrical run.

Sources

• Yahoo News Entertainment (Article about early reactions)
• FlickDirect (Florida Advance Screening Giveaway)
• Ars Technica (Article about new trailer and plot details)
• PopCulture (Article about early reactions)
• ScreenRant (Article about early reactions and franchise context)
• IGN (Featurette release for Predator: Badlands)
• Just Jared (Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi at London screening)
• Alien vs. Predator Galaxy (UK certification and rating details)
• Fug Girls (Elle Fanning in Predator movie)