Movie News
‘Predator: Badlands’ early reviews are all leaning one way
LeftVideo Team •
November 5, 2025
Predator: Badlands Early Reviews Are All Leaning One Way
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Predator: Badlands is set for theatrical release on November 7, 2025. The film marks the ninth installment in the long-running Predator franchise and takes the story in a bold new direction.
What We Know So Far
Predator: Badlands changes the traditional Predator formula. Instead of focusing on humans being hunted, this story follows a young outcast Yautja (Predator species) named Dek, who teams up with an android companion named Thia (played by Elle Fanning).
The film is set on a dangerous alien world and explores Predator culture from a new perspective. It also carries a PG-13 rating, making it the first mainline Predator movie to tone down the extreme violence the series is known for.
Early Reviews Summary
The first screenings of Predator: Badlands* have generated mixed reactions, leaning toward “ambitious but uneven.” Critics agree that it’s a daring attempt to expand the franchise, but not everyone is convinced it works.
What Critics Are Saying
The Positives:
Many reviewers praise the film’s visual scale, world-building, and fresh direction.
The alien environments and special effects are described as some of the best in the series.
Director Dan Trachtenberg is commended for taking big creative swings.
Some critics called it a “cosmic buddy movie” that feels fun and unique.
“Predator: Badlands is a cosmic buddy road movie … I had a blast with it.”
The Negatives:
Some longtime fans think the film strays too far from the Predator roots.
The PG-13 rating has disappointed many, as it limits the franchise’s trademark brutality.
The lighter tone and humor reportedly clash with the dark survival themes the series is known for.
“Legacy fans may be left disappointed.” Future of the Force
The Overall Verdict
Early reactions lean toward cautious optimism. The film’s ambition and creativity are being praised, but it’s not the franchise revival some fans were hoping for.
If you’re open to a new take on the Predator universe, Badlands might be worth watching. But if you’re looking for the gritty, horror-driven intensity of the original films, you may find this one too different.
Final Thoughts
Predator: Badlands seems designed to evolve the franchise rather than repeat the past. It offers bold visuals, a new alien perspective, and character depth — but risks alienating longtime fans who loved the old-school Predator formula.
In short:
For new audiences: fresh, fun, and ambitious.
For hardcore fans: maybe too much of a departure.
For the franchise: a risky move that could either revive or divide the Predator legacy.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Predator: Badlands is set for theatrical release on November 7, 2025. The film marks the ninth installment in the long-running Predator franchise and takes the story in a bold new direction.
What We Know So Far
Predator: Badlands changes the traditional Predator formula. Instead of focusing on humans being hunted, this story follows a young outcast Yautja (Predator species) named Dek, who teams up with an android companion named Thia (played by Elle Fanning).
The film is set on a dangerous alien world and explores Predator culture from a new perspective. It also carries a PG-13 rating, making it the first mainline Predator movie to tone down the extreme violence the series is known for.
Early Reviews Summary
The first screenings of Predator: Badlands* have generated mixed reactions, leaning toward “ambitious but uneven.” Critics agree that it’s a daring attempt to expand the franchise, but not everyone is convinced it works.
What Critics Are Saying
The Positives:
Many reviewers praise the film’s visual scale, world-building, and fresh direction.
The alien environments and special effects are described as some of the best in the series.
Director Dan Trachtenberg is commended for taking big creative swings.
Some critics called it a “cosmic buddy movie” that feels fun and unique.
“Predator: Badlands is a cosmic buddy road movie … I had a blast with it.”
The Negatives:
Some longtime fans think the film strays too far from the Predator roots.
The PG-13 rating has disappointed many, as it limits the franchise’s trademark brutality.
The lighter tone and humor reportedly clash with the dark survival themes the series is known for.
“Legacy fans may be left disappointed.” Future of the Force
The Overall Verdict
Early reactions lean toward cautious optimism. The film’s ambition and creativity are being praised, but it’s not the franchise revival some fans were hoping for.
If you’re open to a new take on the Predator universe, Badlands might be worth watching. But if you’re looking for the gritty, horror-driven intensity of the original films, you may find this one too different.
Final Thoughts
Predator: Badlands seems designed to evolve the franchise rather than repeat the past. It offers bold visuals, a new alien perspective, and character depth — but risks alienating longtime fans who loved the old-school Predator formula.
In short:
For new audiences: fresh, fun, and ambitious.
For hardcore fans: maybe too much of a departure.
For the franchise: a risky move that could either revive or divide the Predator legacy.
