by Joey Paur Disney and 20th Century Studios rolled out the red carpet in London for the world premiere of Predator: Badlands , and the first reactions are starting to pour in. While full reviews are still under wraps, those lucky enough to see it early are calling it a fresh, exciting, and surprisingly heartfelt addition to the Predator universe, though it sounds like it might not hit the mark for everyone. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg , the filmmaker behind Prey and 10 Cloverfield Lane, Badlands brings the iconic sci-fi franchise back to the big screen with a new direction that’s got fans intrigued. Early social media reactions describe it as a “cosmic buddy road movie,” with many praising Trachtenberg for steering the series into uncharted territory while keeping the spirit of Prey alive. Some describe Badlands as “lighter” and “more family-friendly” than previous Predator films, which has stirred a bit of debate online. One common thread in reactions suggests that while the movie takes “big swings,” not all of them land perfectly. There’s even talk that “legacy fans might be disappointed,” hinting that Trachtenberg may have shaken up the lore in some unexpected ways. Despite the mixed notes, overall word-of-mouth remains largely positive. Fans are praising the chemistry between the leads and the bold visual world Trachtenberg has crafted. The story itself marks a new chapter for the franchise, as it blends action, adventure, and emotional stakes in ways the series hasn’t really explored before. Set in the future on a remote and deadly planet, Badlands follows a young Predator outcast, played by newcomer Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who teams up with Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning. Together, they embark on a perilous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. So far, Predator: Badlands looks to be an ambitious step forward for the franchise, aiming to expand the universe while appealing to a broader audience. Whether this new tone wins over diehard fans or divides them remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, Badlands is setting up a whole new era for the hunt. PREDATOR: BADLANDS is the visual proof we need to crown Dan Trachtenberg the pioneer of the PREDATOR franchise. With each movie he continues to break the boundaries of what this franchise is capable of as he switches from an action/horror to a sci-fi/fantasy adventure.… pic.twitter.com/ZIWyqPDviE — Christopher Rates It 🦦 (@LuminousDagger) October 27, 2025 Dan Trachtenberg’s #PredatorBadlands is an epic spectacle that takes us on a deep dive into Yautja mythology. More sci-fi epic than a traditional Predator film, it takes some big swings that don’t always land. Despite its bold approach, legacy fans may be left disappointed. pic.twitter.com/udZTFnmh8N — Phil Roberts (@philthecool) October 27, 2025 Predator Badlands is a cosmic buddy road movie and it’s all killer no filler. Dan Trachtenberg smartly maneuvers the franchise to a grander scale than just another survival horror. It might not be as traditionally gory, but I had a blast with it. #PredatorBadlands @Predator pic.twitter.com/GhZTNuijLc — Eammon Parks Jacobs (@EammonJacobs) October 27, 2025 PREDATOR: BADLANDS: an action-packed ride that keeps you on your toes. It's a "found family" action-adventure wrapped in that classic franchise brutality. Trachtenberg confidently continues to make the Predator world captivating as Fanning charms (and scares!) #PredatorBadlands pic.twitter.com/FS38i798Wf — Christopher Gallardo (@chrisagwrites) October 28, 2025 It’s great to see some of my pals in the AvP fandom and beyond finally getting to see Predator Badlands. I think this film is really great and it’s different (in a brilliant way) to any of the other films in the franchise. Can’t wait for the wide release in a few weeks. — Matt Ferguson (@Cakes_Comics) October 28, 2025 Just got out of #PredatorBadlands and it’s one hell of an action ride a brutal, emotional journey of a Predator finding acceptance. Some of the best hand-to-hand combat I’ve seen in ages. 🔥 Don’t miss this one on the big screen! @20thCenturyUK pic.twitter.com/ZdLrXkuB8N — TheBrothersGeekOutPodcast (@thebrosgeekout) October 27, 2025 #PredatorBadlands is a pretty badass expansion of the Predator franchise. Dan Trachtenberg delivers yet more thrilling action in this world, even if this might be his weakest work in the franchise yet. It's the most action-packed Predator film yet, some of it as brutal as you'd… pic.twitter.com/cIIx5Rx1wq — Josh Barton (@bartonreviews) October 27, 2025 Initial Predator Badlands thoughts — absolutely a Dark Horse adaptation. Fans of the wider EU will get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Leaned heavy into the adventure/fantasy angle & really showed the genre bending/flexibility of the Predator. — Aaron Percival (@_CorporalHicks) October 27, 2025 Predator: Badlands is friggin’ awesome. Inventive action, organic comedy, and a story I was fully invested in. Dan Trachtenberg continues to push all the right buttons with this franchise. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/eoYNluPQoL Source: https://geektyrant.com/news/predator-badlands-reactions-praise-a-bold-family-friendly-sci-fi-adventure-but-legacy-fans-might-not-be-thrilled