“Predator: Badlands,” under Dan Trachtenberg’s direction, delivers arguably the best film of the franchise. Entries have attempted to recapture the original Predator film’s pedigree, but Trachtenberg once again carves his own space.
“Predator: Badlands” easily ranks as the most unique of the franchise to date as well. Trachtenberg previously directed two other direct-to-streaming Predator films, 2022’s “Prey” and this past Summer’s “Predator: Killer of Killers”; both of which were received incredibly well by fans and critics alike. The films also rank fairly high in my own estimation. As for this film, it’s phenomenal and easily deserves as many eyeballs on it as possible. Fan or not, this film offers an incredible sci-fi experience and surprisingly heartfelt tale with the Predator as the protagonist.
Back of the DVD Summary:
“Dek (Dimitrius Koloamatangi), is a runt among the Yautja and his clan. In order to prove his worth and earn a place within his culture, he must bring back a trophy from his first hunt. After a tragedy befalls Dek early in the film, he honors a vow made to his brother, Kwei, to kill the unkillable beast: the Kalisk. A monster so powerful and legendary, even seasoned hunters fear it. Dek journeys to Genna, or the “Death-Planet” as it’s called, where he meets an unlikely ally, Thia (Elle Fanning). Together, the duo brave the planet’s overwhelming hostility and nightmarish creatures. Along their journey, they learn the true nature of the Kalisk and Dek has to come to terms with what it means to be a Yautja, and where he really fits in.”
At this film’s core, it’s an underdog story. Dek is meant to fail in his quest. He’s wildly outgunned and way in over-his head, which was a key factor in my enjoyment. I think if we’re to make a predator the protagonist, something which hasn’t been done before, it’s intelligent writing must position Dek as the underdog. If he were a seasoned hunter his entire journey, the planet wouldn’t be very satisfying, and it would betray the core theme of this film: find your own way.
Outside of Dek’s well executed arc, there’s Thia, his android company. She ended up being my favorite part of the film. Unlike other androids or synths, as they’re called in this film, she’s remarkably cheery and curious. Gone are the cold shoulders and raw calculations, characteristics are saved for the antagonist: Tessa, Thia’s “sister”. Thia’s character, outside of being a delight, serves as a guide to Dek who shares her wisdom.. Thia is ultimately the catalyst for Dek to find his own way and to recognize he is more than just the rules and customs of his species. Elle Fanning does double duty playing both Thia and Tessa. The differences between the two characters were captured perfectly, and at no point was I ever confused about who was who, nor did they resort to the cheap trick of Dek struggling to figure out who is who.
Another one of the film’s big strengths were twofold: action choreography and action setpieces. Dek moves unlike other predators’ in the franchise, he’s more scrappy and resourceful since he lacks many of the tools fans of the franchise would expect a predator to have. There were truly some draw-dropping kills and moments of pain that caused me to recoil in my seat in the best way possible.
What’s more, each terrifying creature Dek fights and odd horrific things he encounters, exploding worms being one, become crucial to the theme and to Dek’s ultimate victory in the film. There’s no action for action’s sake in the film, all of it is devoted to the story and characters. From razor grass, vines that eat you, acid spitting eels and exploding needle paralyzers, each play a key role in the climax of the film.
Perhaps the most surprising element of the film is how heartfelt it ended up being. I really got behind Dek’s whole quest, but it was Thia and Dek’s connection that really sustained the film’s forward motion. Their dynamic cannot be oversold as a crucial factor in what makes this film so phenomenal. Thia and Dek ultimately form a sort of found family, which is not something I expected from a predator film, yet I found myself invested and satisfied by its inclusion. Through Dek’s internal struggle, we get to know more about the Yautja as a people and see how not all of the Yautja are the same. The screenplay by Patrick Aison and Dan Trachtenberg is really top-shelf stuff.
And while there’s a lot to love, there are a few elements that weren’t working as well. Chief among them: the antagonist. Tessa’s role as a foil to Thia, both in script and in their literal designs as androids, was interesting, and necessary for Thia’s arc, but they lacked true menace. Normally, these films circumvent the antagonist’s issue with the predator being the antagonist, however, with the script flipped so to speak, there’s an obvious need for a new antagonist. Dek felt more threatened by his lack of information, rather than Tessa’s direct antagonism. Tessa’s final fight with Dek is memorable and a highlight, yet the stakes weren’t as high because I never ended up being that interested in Tessa.
A smaller issue was the ending. There’s a small scene after Dek’s arc is complete and returns home which felt out of nowhere and, to me, undermined the whole act he does when he returns home. It played more as a cheap inclusion than something meaningful to the story itself. My only issues with the film would be its antagonist and if one 10-second scene at the very end didn’t exist.
Much like “Prey” and “Predator: Killer of Killer”, this film is a welcome addition to the franchise and a testament to Trachtenberg’s ability as a storyteller. Prior to “Prey” the predator franchise was in the gutter and looked like a shadow of its former self. Trachtenberg has successfully revived the franchise and I cannot wait to see what he does next. I cannot express enough that everyone should go out and see this film.
