He was behind the camera again, responsible for the success of the two previous parts (“Predator: Prey” and “Predator: Killer Slayer”). Dan Trachtenberg. The American director decided to make quite a revolution by giving, for the first time in the history of the series, the perspective of a predator, because it is through his eyes that we look at the world presented. What’s more, in the latest version we won’t see a single person. Next to the “space” creatures, we only see humanoid robots with the face of Elle Fanning, representing the so-called Company.
Although the film is largely based on special effects, I suspect that it could have been an interesting experience for the American actress to see herself in two versions. And both, playing the roles of synthetic twin sisters – Thia and Tessa, as well as in the version from the waist up and from the waist down. Because as a result of wounds received during an earlier mission, the first one was cut in half. Thus, the body and the head live their own life, and the legs live their own, sometimes only cooperating.
Thia, although a colorful character, also thanks to Fanning, remains in the background. A Yautja (Predator) named Dek comes to the fore. The younger of the brothers, considered by his father to be the weakest in the clan and therefore unworthy to live at all. The family confrontation, which becomes a contribution to the development of the plot of the latest part of the franchise, begins on the Predators’ home planet, whose dry, desert and mountainous landscape is reminiscent of that from “Conan the Barbarian”. The planet Genna, where most of the rest of the film takes place, contrasts with the monotony of this place. This is where the creators could let their imagination run wild, because basically every step (literally) in this rich world is associated with some surprise. Which translates into the fact that the center of the new “Predator” is much more interesting than its frame.
Driven by the desire for revenge and to prove his worth, Dek goes to an alien planet to hunt Kalix, a creature that even the Predators fear. Using computer game terminology, this is the so-called “final boss”. However, before this meeting takes place, the hero comes across the aforementioned Thia and, despite initial resistance, throws her over his shoulder and takes her with him. This is the moment in the new “Predator” when elements of a buddy movie are incorporated into science fiction and action cinema, because the journey of the two characters (although Dek calls Thia a “tool”) is based largely on their conversations and thoughts. And these are not discussions about how and who should be destroyed. Or at least not only that. Even a sense of humor creeps into them, mainly thanks to the android.
I’m not sure whether humanizing the Predator, from the perspective of the entire series, is a good idea in the long run, but it’s hard to accuse the creators of repetition. And this, unfortunately, is often a big sin of this type of production. Yautja, although retaining its armed artifacts and menacing appearance, is no longer the terrifying alien that was hunted in the previous installments, but rather a sensitive and intelligent being. Able to distinguish good from evil, thinking about others and even struggling with personal problems. Therefore, this film could easily be called a psychological drama, but in a futuristic costume and with a lot of special effects. The Predator calmed down a bit.
7/10
“Predator: Danger Zone” (Predator: Badlands), dir. Dan Trachtenberg, USA 2025, distributor: Disney, cinema premiere: November 7, 2025.