Movie Review — Predator: Badlands, Dan Trachtenberg Has Done It Again

From 2022’s Prey to the 2025 animated Predator: Badlands Hunter, and now this week’s theatrical release Predator: Badlands, director Dan Trachtenberg has successfully breathed new life into this classic sci-fi franchise. The story follows Dek, a young Yautja exiled from his tribe, who travels to the universe’s most dangerous planet to hunt Kalisk , a prey no one has ever successfully killed. There, he encounters an unexpected ally Thia, a synthetic from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

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Yes, Weyland-Yutani from the Alien franchise appears in a Predator film again! This marks the first return of Alien elements since 2007’s Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, 18 years later. But Trachtenberg doesn’t rush into the tired “Alien vs. Predator” gimmick. Instead, he cleverly weaves Weyland-Yutani’s synthetic character into the narrative organically.

Elle Fanning in Dual Roles

Since Super 8, Elle Fanning returns to sci-fi, this time playing two synthetic characters: Thia and Tessa. The contrast is striking. Thia radiates curiosity and empathy. Even after being literally severed in half, she remains optimistic. Tessa, on the other hand, is cold and ruthless, focused solely on completing her mission.

What impressed me most was Fanning’s eye acting. When Thia looks at Dek, her eyes overflow with warmth and understanding. When Tessa appears with the same…