The Wasteland Reviewer

Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) Written Review

In what new ways can the Predator franchise be explored? The original film takes the Predator into the jungle and goes toe-to-toe with the biggest 80s action stars they could find. The second moves the setting more urban. We were treated to an alien hunting ground with Predators. The less said about The Predator…the better. But with Dan Trachtenberg at the reins, we were treated to a compelling twist…a more primitive Predator going against an indigenous tribe. This period piece shoot things up for good and puts a whole new realm of possibilities. But this time, Trachtenberg takes audiences to three different periods of human history (Vikings, Samurai/Ninjas, and WWII soldiers) and pits the best of us up against one of the most dangerous and perfect killing machines around.

What are we here for? The action. Brutality. That is the easiest way to describe the way Trachtenberg approaches the action in his Predator films. Blood. Guts. Severed Limbs. Decapitations. Each action beat in this film does not shy away from showing just how brutal and unsympathetic these alien hunters can be. But it is not just fighting with Predators. There are great action sequences even before the Predator shows up in each story in this anthology. There are plenty of creative kills which will make your jaw drop and you will blurt out audibly. But it is not just the action that really stands out. There is amazing world building in this striking animated world. The pseudo stop motion feel that is channeled for the animation works well for the over-the-top action sequences. The animation is so detailed that it offers up such interesting looking new Predators as well. The settings are great as well with the freshest and most dynamic way to convey landscapes both interplanetary and global. The pacing is fantastic as this 84-minute flick flew by. But there is something quite effective when it comes to the deeper elements of the film. These are compelling ideas that add layers to the cinematic experience and imbue some sturdy emotional cores into each of these stories. 

Speaking of which, does this film offer up some compelling and engaging cinematic milestones for the audience to appreciate. This film is all meat and potatoes in its concept and approach. We witness the heroic acts of three regular people and see where that takes them. Each story features some standard emotional beats (to give our protagonists’ depth and empathy) and then we see them go toe-to-toe with the titular hunters themselves. Ax-wielding, sword-wielding, and dogfighting are all the avenues for the action on screen and telling our protagonists’ stories of bravery. The formula is clear for each, but the creativity comes in the settings and the violence on display. Creativity kills and the staging of the action brings plenty of life to the film. These three stories converge in a big climax that expands the Predator lore and the potential for even more stories in this world. This is a fresh twist on the world of Predator and leaves the door open to thread together Trachtenberg’s efforts in this franchise so far. 

What else stands out in this new animated anthology film? This might be a straight to Hulu effort but there is something truly cinematic about this experience. The “camera work” is impeccable with how the audience’s view navigates the brutality on screen. The music layers in some classic Predator beats and layers in the elements of culture for each of the stories. There are not a lot of vocal performances that are given plenty to work with but those who are there do great jobs. You can take a veteran character actor like Michael Biehn and deliver some much-needed emotion into the story he is a part of. Lindsay LaVanchy offers up a gruff, powerful, and dominant performance as the Viking Ursa. Louis Ozawa delivers a compelling dual performance that anchors down the ninja/samurai story as he brings life to two conflicted brothers with plenty of rage underneath the surface but a cool and collected presence in the film’s climax. Rick Gonzalez is the biggest of personalities in the film with his high energy and empathetic performance as the young WWII pilot turned hero, Torres. 

Is Killer of Killers an exciting and worthwhile new addition into this almost 40-year-old franchise? This is one of the most creative, clever, and freshest takes on this fruitful science fiction world. There is plenty of potential to see more stories of loss, revenge, and bravery in the face of the galaxies’ most dangerous adversary. Pirates. Romans. African tribes. Gaelic warriors. You name it…have them fight some Predators. The franchise is in great hands with Dan Trachtenberg and this slickly animated, viscerally brutal action film is a sign of that fact.