SPOILER ALERT: This article contains critical plot details and the conclusion of “Predator: Badlands,” now showing in theaters.
Director Dan Trachtenberg aimed to take the “Predator” franchise in an innovatively different direction with “Predator: Badlands.” Following the success of 2022’s “Prey,” which featured a Comanche woman fighting an alien predator in the early 1700s, Trachtenberg has once again redefined the narrative. With “Predator: Badlands,” also written by Patrick Aison, the director flips the traditional narrative by positioning the Yautja, the species known for hunting humans, as the protagonist.
The film begins with a dramatic familial conflict: Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) engages in combat with his brother Kwei (Mike Homik) to earn their father’s approval. However, their father, Njohrr (Reuben De Jong), views Dek as unworthy and orders Kwei to eliminate him. Kwei sacrifices himself to save Dek, propelling Dek to the deadly planet Genna on a mission to kill the planet’s apex predator, the Kalisk.
Once on Genna, Dek encounters a treacherous environment filled with lethal fauna until he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a friendly android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, who lost her lower limbs in an encounter with the Kalisk. Thia becomes a valuable ally and guide in nature as they navigate this perilous landscape. During their journey, they also meet Bud, a charming creature who chooses to bond with Dek, marking him as part of its clan. Nonetheless, Dek’s independence leads him to abandon Bud, believing that Yautja are meant to hunt alone.
As the story progresses, Dek faces the Kalisk in a fierce showdown but discovers that its regenerative powers can reverse fatal injuries. When the creature catches Dek off guard, it hesitates upon detecting a familiar scent on him due to the bond he formed with Bud. The situation escalates when Thia’s android sister, Tessa, under the orders of the ruthless AI Mu/th/ur, intervenes to capture the Kalisk, torturing Dek. This sets off a chain of events leading Dek to awaken his inner strength, motivated by a desire to save Thia and protect the baby Kalisk that Bud bonded with earlier in the narrative.
In a climactic series of actions, Dek manages to defeat Tessa and return home to Yautja Prime with the skull of the android. His father’s rejection leads to a fierce confrontation where Dek emerges victorious, ultimately presenting a new family shaped by Thia and Bud. The film concludes on a promising note, with a looming Yautja ship signaling the return of Dek’s mother.
Trachtenberg shared insights on creating a distinct cinematic experience where the impending threat is personified by the Yautja, now cast as the movie’s hero. Highlighting the need for emotional depth, he aimed to explore familial relationships amidst action-packed sequences, paralleling the warmth found in unexpected connections, like that of Dek and Bud.
Alluding to the franchise’s future, Trachtenberg reflects on the opportunity to expand upon this universe, revealing his desire to unite different character narratives, while maintaining the integrity of each story. He emphasizes that each installment can stand alone while seamlessly contributing to a larger narrative tapestry, akin to earlier Marvel phases.
The director’s collaborative approach also included input from iconic filmmakers like James Cameron. Their conversations helped shape “Badlands” into a project that not only pays homage to the franchise’s heritage but also boldly strides into unexplored territory, enriching both the characters and the overarching mythos.
As “Predator: Badlands” unfolds, it invites viewers to witness the evolution of a franchise steeped in tradition while daring to redefine its identity and explore themes of family, sacrifice, and the nature of strength in unconventional ways.