Predator: Badlands

The recent films have completely lost the suffocating horror and nerve-wracking tension that defined the first two entries. It feels like the writers no longer understand the true essence of the Yautja. In the original film, it wasn't just a mindless killer - it was a calculating hunter. Remember how it used its toxic dart to paralyze its prey before firing the plasma caster? Its weapon wasn't just for destruction; it could adjust its power and precision. That level of detail made the Yautja terrifying - a cold, silent, methodical predator who hunted one victim at a time, unseen, and only revealed itself when absolutely necessary or when its cloaking device was damaged.

Sadly, that cold-blooded patience and ritualistic style of hunting are gone in the newer installments. The creature feels more like a generic monster than the disciplined hunter that once embodied fear and intelligence. I truly hope Jim and John Thomas return to write, and that John McTiernan steps back into the director's chair. Only they can restore the primal fear, intensity, and cinematic tension that made Predator legendary.

Whose idea was it to turn Predator into a beat-for-beat Disney-style adventure film? This is Predator in name only. There is virtually none of the horror, tension, or atmosphere from the original. It feels like a cardboard cutout, generic kids movie. It may as well have been a Disney Channel original.

I could not believe they included every stereotype: the quirky, annoying sidekick who asks endless questions while traveling, the cutesy creature the audience is supposed to adore, the forced found-family dynamic, and the overtly evil villains with shallow motivations. It's seriously reminded me of like this straight to dvd kids movies my parents bought for me when I was a kid. Unbelievable.

Predator: Badlands opens a rare window into the inner world and culture of the Yautja. It succeeds at nearly everything it attempts: introducing fresh monsters, exploring Weyland-Yutani robotics, and expanding the universe in interesting ways.

That said, the film leans a bit too heavily into emotional themes such as trauma, family bonds, and even the feelings of synthetic beings. While these elements add depth, they sometimes feel redundant.

Still, the movie is undeniably fun. Just don't expect it to recreate the raw atmosphere of the original Predator 1987, that lightning-in-a-bottle moment is gone forever, same thing can be said for Terminator franchise.

It's finally here, a Predator movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, yet remains incredibly well-made and thoroughly entertaining, Dan Trachtenberg, who already delivered the most serious and still the best Predator film to date with Prey, is clearly having a blast with Predator: Badlands, from the very first scene, the movie hooks you with one of the most exciting and promising intros in the franchise.

This is the closest we've ever gotten to seeing the Predator as an actual character, complete with personality, language, and depth, and it works remarkably well, adding to that, Elle Fanning is a great addition to the film, and the little creature named Bud also brings unexpected charm to the film.

Besides being one of the most excitingly entertaining films of the year, Predator: Badlands, in my opinion, the most wholesome buddy cop movie i've seen in a while, the beautifully shot, vast, and dark Predator world gives off Dune vibes for me, while the introduction of fascinating new creatures evokes a touch of Avatar, i genuinely adore the world building they've did in the film, it's visually stunning.

The action and fight sequences are exciting, and the Predator is as badass as ever, while the pacing slows down in the second half, overall, Predator: Badlands is pure fun, exciting, and wildly entertaining, i wouldn't mind another installment, as long as Dan Trachtenberg returns to direct it, because honestly, the best Predator movies are the last three, all under his direction.

YEESSSS!!! As a big fan of the original 1987 Schwarzenegger movie, I have seen all the Predator (and Alien) movies they have put out...including the ones that were awful and wasted my time (i.e. Requiem).

This "Badlands" movie, "Killer of Killers", and "Prey" have all fully resurrected the fandom's interest in wanting more again, in lieu of being okay if the franchise died. Trachtenberg single-handedly brought the series back to life...it is in good hands.

Still connected to the Weyland-Yutani Industries (see Alien series), this flick totally kicks ass with action, believable CGI, great sounds, cool scenery, a little comic relief, villains, unlikely friendships, adaptation-evolving theme, etc. Production, cinematography, plot...totally spot on. See it in the IMAX if you can!!! You are totally cheering for the Yautja. I thought I would hate the Thia character...but she/synth keeps it grounded and tied back perfectly to earth and the human's need for consumption. I think both the Alien and Predator universes still have more to give.

BEST to worst of the Predator series...(in my opinion): 1. Predator (1987), of course, gotta let the original stand alone.

2. Tie: Killer of Killers (2025) & Predator- Badlands (2025) 3. Prey (2022) 4. Predators (2010) 5. Alien vs. Predator (2004) 6. The Predator (2018) 7. Predator 2 (1990) 8. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)...worst ever.