Jay Rohr
Predator: Badlands provides a treasure trove for anthropologists—at least those examining fictional cultures. This action-horror hybrid courtesy of Dan Trachtenberg expands lore as much as it entertains. However, the confines of its niche may restrict the size of its potential audience.
The film follows a young alien called Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) from a race of hunters known as the Yautja. They are the species of the primary antagonist first seen in Predator (1987). Perceived as too weak to live, Dek is determined to prove his worth by killing the most dangerous prey possible. This leads him to a deadly world, where even the plants have evolved to slaughter on sight. Once there, he encounters a broken synthetic humanoid named Thia (Elle Fanning), who offers to aid his quest for her own mysterious reasons. Despite their differences, the two will have to learn to rely on one another in order to survive let alone succeed in the hunt.
Predator: Badlands thematically aims to tell a story about evolving beyond the constraints of tradition. Dek is a prideful hunter compelled to work alone because that is the way of his people. Survival, however, requires him to adopt a new set of values. What’s most interesting is how this humanizes a being that’s been the main antagonist of the franchise. The story may not be incredibly original, but it does benefit from being relatable.
Dek is essentially a misfit trying to prove his worth to an indifferent, dismissive family. Along the way he finds a new group to consider as his clan. The blood they shed in the hunt bonding them more than any family ties could.
The only problem is that much of this superficial. Predator: Badlands implies a deeper connection between characters than it earns through any interaction. While there are moments suggesting why different individuals would begin to change their opinions or perceptions, mostly they shift because the plot needs them to. For instance, at risk of spoilers, Thia’s assistance in the hunt is often simply naming things. One action acts like a Chekhov’s gun, but overall, she isn’t terribly useful following her introduction.
That’s because her overall purpose is to give Dek someone to talk to which is a mixed bag. The linguist Britton Watkins provides Predator: Badlands with a fitting language for the Yautja. Still, if fictional gibberish irritates you this movie can get annoying. Furthermore, the conversations are mostly fodder for comedic moments that don’t always pay off. Consequently, Thia becomes comedic relief more than companion. Add on their cutesy CGI comrade critter Bud, and the middle of Badlands slows as it flirts with the darkest form Disney would ever risk.
I’m not suggesting Predator: Badlands should have gone the route of films like Valhalla (2019) which features almost zero dialogue. However, the desire to worldbuild, expanding the Yautja into a comprehensible culture robs them a tad of those unknowable elements that bring total terror. Predator: Badlands is essentially about a disowned son out to prove to his dysfunctional family he deserves their affection. In addition, it means that, although the story is accessible to any audience — no one needs deep familiarity with the expanded lore of the franchise — most of Badlands feels like fan fiction, adding content for a very niche audience.
Granted, franchise lovers will likely enjoy correlations to other stories told within the Predator fictional universe. Aspects of the film share thematic connections to Dark Horse comics such as the Deadliest of the Species story arc. That said, Badlands is its own narrative. Whatever elements connect it to the wider fictional worlds of the Predator and Alien franchises are more plot dynamics and production aesthetics than anything else. It’s just sadly a reminder than nothing original is being made anymore. The best any filmmaker can hope for is expanding content for a preexisting intellectual property.
That’s unfortunate because Trachtenberg really delivers when it comes to the action. Predator: Badlands is full of rousing set pieces that go zero to out of control in all the best ways. Combat often features surprising instances of Dek being overwhelmed. These then pivot to the need to fight with cunning rather than brute strength. The audience can actually witness the young hunter adapting to circumstances, planning moves in the chaos and bringing about satisfying outcomes. There’s also a clever utilization of the franchise formula, wherein the protagonist must learn to use their environment to their advantage.
The physicality of the main performance can’t be denied. While there is a lot of animation providing the most varied expressions ever seen in this entity’s franchise history, Dek’s body language and athleticism all come across because of a solid performance by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (The Panthers). He makes Dek feel like a living being.
Meanwhile, Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown) does double duty as paired synthetics Thia and Tessa. Neither are terribly complicated characters. Tessa is a rather simplistic villain portrayed with the coldness one expects from an emotionless automaton. Thia, by contrast, is more effusive, though why their personalities differ so intensely is hardly an issue. We’re not meant to get to know them other than one is pleasant while the other is sour. And Fanning supplies both with the necessary degrees of intensity to convey that, although Tessa could have been a shade more sinister.
There are some points where the narrative logic doesn’t always work. These nitpicking points are likely to be the loose nails that contrarians hang their total dismissal on, and that’s a real shame. Predator: Badlands may not be flawless; however, it is entertaining. Whatever micro holes exist in the plot shouldn’t derail anyone’s enjoyment.
Predator: Badlands aims at a story about found family. It delivers for the most part even if the bonds it ties feel thin. Still, the road there is a thrilling adventure full of fabulous action. Perhaps best seen in theaters after a few beers, Badlands is a fun way for action fans to kill a Friday night.
