Dive into the heart of alien terror and family drama—have you ever wondered if a Predator hunt could double as a sibling showdown that leaves you questioning everything about loyalty and survival? That's the electrifying premise of Predator: Badlands, and trust me, it's sparking debates faster than a Yautja plasma blast. But here's where it gets controversial: Is director Dan Trachtenberg building on the franchise's gritty legacy, or is he risking it all by veering into uncharted emotional territory? Let's unpack this latest entry together and see what makes it tick—or explode.
Predator: Badlands marks Trachtenberg's third foray into the Predator universe, following the acclaimed 1719-set adventure Prey (which you can dive into via this review: https://www.joblo.com/prey-review/) and the animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers (check out the breakdown here: https://www.joblo.com/predator-killer-of-killers-review/), both of which dropped on Hulu. Now, this one's hitting theaters, and opinions are flying. Our own Chris Bumbray at JoBlo gave it a solid 7/10—catch his full take at THIS LINK (https://www.joblo.com/predator-badlands-review/) or watch the video embedded above. But what about you? We're dying to hear: Did Predator: Badlands thrill you, or did it miss the mark? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation!
To give you some behind-the-scenes insight, the film's casting call painted a fascinating picture. It described a revolutionary story exploring the deep connection between two sisters whose family bonds are stretched to the breaking point as they chase wildly different goals and paths. The call sought a lead actress for the dual role of twins Thia and Tessa, with the character description open to females or non-binary individuals of any ethnicity, aged mid-20s to mid-40s. Thia, who's basically lived her whole life in a lab, steps out for her first real-world escapade—she's brilliant, quick-witted, full of energy, and surprisingly cool under pressure. Her disregard for danger isn't bravery; it's pure, endearing naiveté, and the role demands strong comedic timing. On the flip side, Tessa is all intensity and militancy, laser-focused on her family's objectives, willing to bulldoze through anything—even her own twin sister—to get the job done. In a twist that adds even more intrigue, these roles were ultimately brought to life by the talented Elle Fanning, whose versatility shines through in capturing both personalities.
Now, for the official scoop: Set in a distant future on an isolated planet, the plot centers on a young Predator—an outcast from his own clan—who teams up with an unexpected companion, Thia (played by Fanning), for a perilous quest to track down the ultimate foe. It's a story of unlikely alliances, high-stakes chases, and that signature Predator mix of horror and action. The film is brought to you by producers John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor, with the lead Predator portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.
And this is the part most people miss: While the franchise has always been about extraterrestrial hunters stalking humans, Badlands introduces a layer of familial conflict that some fans might see as a fresh evolution—think of it as blending the brutal hunts of classic entries like Predator or Predators with the emotional depth of something like Prey's historical twist. But here's where opinions diverge: Is this injection of sisterly drama elevating the series, or is it diluting the pure, adrenaline-pumped terror that made the originals so iconic? Some might argue it's a bold move to humanize the stakes, making the alien threat feel more personal and relatable. Others could counter that it risks turning a slasher-style sci-fi adventure into something more melodramatic, potentially alienating die-hard fans who crave non-stop creature-feature carnage. What do you think—does adding these character-driven elements strengthen the Predator mythos, or does it steer it off course? We're curious to hear your take; agree, disagree, or share a counterpoint in the comments below!
What do you think of Predator: Badlands? Is Trachtenberg riding a wave of success, or is he pulling the franchise in a risky new direction? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
About the Author
Horror News Editor
Favorite Movies: The entire Friday the 13th series, flicks by Kevin Smith, the works of George A. Romero (especially the original Dead trilogy), Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1 & 2, Flesh Eater, Intruder, Let the Right One In, Return of the Living Dead, The Evil Dead, Jaws, Tremors, From Dusk Till Dawn, Phantasm, Halloween, The Hills Have Eyes, the Back to the Future trilogy, Dazed and Confused, the James Bond collection, Mission: Impossible, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and so much more
Likes: Cinema, horror flicks, '80s slashers, podcasts, animals, travel, Brazil (the nation), the Cinema Wasteland convention, classic rock, Led Zeppelin, Kevin Smith, George A. Romero, Quentin Tarantino, the Coen brothers, Richard Linklater, Paul Thomas Anderson, Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, James Bond, Tom Cruise, Marvel comics, the grindhouse/drive-in era
