The Wasteland Reviewer

Predator: Badlands (2025) Written Review

What is the coolest idea for a movie in 2025? Predator: Badlands. This is a franchise that has been around for almost 40 years with huge heights and terrible lows. This franchise was almost dead in the water with The Predator that came out pre-COVID which was a horrible mess of a film. But one filmmaker, Dan Trachtenberg, has completely changed the fortunes for Predator. Prey was a brilliant period piece that put a coming-of-age indigenous story in a Predator film and knocked it out of the park. Then we went animated earlier this year with Predator: Killer of Killers which is an excellent anthology type film of different heroes of the past fighting Yautja and leading to the introduction of their planet. But it is Predator: Badlands which is the most ambitious yet. This has a protagonist who is a Yautja and takes place completely on a foreign planet with nothing but alien creatures and synthetics. But that wouldn’t stop Trachtenberg from delivering arguably the best entry in the franchise to date. 

How does Trachtenberg approach this new space-based action thriller? First off, the visuals of the film are just breathtaking. The computer-generated effects are top notch as they do wonders to bring these multiple alien worlds to life with detail and clarity. They used that budget so well and delivered such a striking sight on screen. The production design is quite impressive as the Yautja home world and the creature-filled planet on our journey both look so organic and authentic. The Yautja designs are a perfect mixture of make-up, practical effects, and motion capture work. The creatures in the film look gritty and genuine. The action in the film is well staged, choreographed, and rendered. There is a great bit of tension and suspense thrown in there that makes this narrative more challenging. The action is filled with plenty of alien and synthetic blood and guts with the actual violence showing to be quite empathetic. The cinematography of Jeff Cutter is sharp and precise in a poignant way. If this film wasn’t cool enough and tense enough, the score composed by Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch just might be one of the most visceral, pulsating, and badass scores in recent memory. From the cold open that delivers deeply poignant emotion to the second act character work filled with laughs to the cheer-inducing final act of the film, you know this is going to be a rollercoaster ride of emotion and feeling. 

Does this cool concept live up to its potential? Trachtenberg’s story really comes to life in such an empathic way as Patrick Aison’s script. There is a classic hero’s journey on display here, but it is so perfectly executed and realized that you soon forget any cliches or tropes on display. This feels like a fully realized vision that is quite compelling and engrossing. The cold open of the film is such a great set-up that does wonders for the film. We get an underdog protagonist whose clan and father disown them and threaten them. This opens the door for Dek (the runt of this Yautja clan) to go on a journey to prove himself. The other bookend of the film is thrilling, compelling, and delivers a most satisfying conclusion to Dek’s journey and conflict with his people. Trachtenberg’s film navigates the predatory and toxic societal dynamic of the Yautja clan and sets up Dek’s journey of interdependence so well. This is a tale of found family and support from others. The Yautja are an isolated warrior clan and Dek’s journey uniquely gives him the space to feel a semi-real scenario. Dek is paired with two fantastic characters with Thia, the synthetic, who must also navigate her toxic “family” dynamics with another synthetic as well as being a hilarious addition to the team. The developing relationship between Dek and Thia is one of the strongest and most affecting elements of the film. Dek is on a journey to kill the biggest and most dangerous game in the universe. Where this mission takes him is endearing as he connects with these unknown beings and the connection he develops with an infant creature. The film writes this trio pitch perfectly and leaves the audience with such a thrilling ride. 

How does the cast add layers to the film? The most unexpected standout for the film is Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. His portrayal as Dek is layered, empathetic, and ferocious. Despite being an underdog and runt, Schuster-Koloamatangi finds the strength and ferocity of a Yautja while still being empathetic. You can feel the physicality on display as Schuster-Koloamatangi delivers in all the action-oriented scenes. He also has a good sense of humor, that is on display. There is a fiery energy to his performance when Dek is overcome by emotion while also putting on an intense façade as well. Elle Fanning is quite the standout in this film. Here manic energy is an absolute delight. She brings a wide-eyed wonder to her synthetic character who becomes such a close confidante with Dek. Their dynamic is so charming and gives the film an unexpected level of heart. Her dual role also allows Fanning to show two different sides and some strong variety in her acting abilities. There are not many performers in the film in general but even those in smaller roles like Reuben de Jong (Dek’s father) and Michael Homik (Dek’s brother) get a chance to shine through all the practical and CGI make-up. 

Is Predator: Badlands really that good? This is legitimately the perfect execution of such a clever expansion of the Predator franchise. Trachtenberg is the true visionary of this franchise, and he continues to prove that he is the right person to be leading Predator films into the future. When you can make a film work this well with a protagonist who is an alien and speaks in an alien language with subtitles needed, you know what you are doing as a filmmaker. Great writing. Great characters. Great action. Great world-building. Badlands is peak Predator and peak big budget filmmaking.