Director: Dan Trachtenberg Runtime: 1h 47m Adding irreverence and unapologetically silly humour to a typically stoic series, Fanning's malfunctioning motormouth Thia and oddly adorable CG creature Bud make for an endearing odd couple (odd triple?) alongside Dek during their trek across Genna's inhospitable landscape. Pulling double duty as Thia and identical, Wey-Yu synth Tessa, Fanning is the film's MVP as both unlikely ally and potential antagonist. Similarly striking is the film's visual scope. Filmed in part on location across New Zealand, Trachtenberg shoots Genna like Middle-earth, with vistas that feel ripped from the covers of 20th-century sci-fi novels. Coupled with composer Sarah Schachner's chest-thumping, percussive score, which incorporates Yautja vocals in a hair-raising way, Badlands is a sensory feast. Killer instinct (Image credit: 20th Century Studios) The action is a mixed bag by comparison. Trachtenberg clearly has a knack for staging compelling set-pieces of all scales – a two-on-one fight scene where Thia's severed legs and torso act as two separate entities is particularly fun. But the bigger the action gets, the more it descends into less-effective, pixel-powered fireworks, often feeling akin to a boss rush mode in a video game as Dek slays one enormous creature after another by plunging his sword into weak points. Filmed on location across New Zealand, Trachtenberg shoots Genna like Middle-earth, with vistas that feel ripped from the covers of 20th-century sci-fi novels A late-stage encounter with a Power Loader on steroids is notably underpowered. While the Yautja's impossible athleticism means there are a few too many moments where rubbery digi-doubles pull you out of the action as Dek leaps atop rampaging Lunabugs, and eventually comes face-to-face with the fearsome kalisk. Wider universe connections fail to deliver as well. While Trachtenberg cautioned Xeno-heads not to expect a certain perfect organism to make an appearance, the fact that Weyland-Yutani synths figure into the story in a significant way has no real payoff – it really could have been any company stationed on Genna. Head into Badlands anticipating a largely standalone adventure, however, and you won't set yourself up for disappointment. Stick around (Image credit: 20th Century) There's also the small matter of that PG-13 rating. Stripped of the series' traditional bloodlust, this is a more all-ages take on the Yautja. That doesn't mean the retractable claws don't come out (eventually), but Predator loses some of its edge when it's milky white synth 'blood', or gloopy creature guts being spilled left, right and center rather than hemoglobin. Adjust your expectations, however, and it's hard not to have a good time with Predator: Badlands. Dek is a refreshing blockbuster lead – for one, he speaks solely in Yautja, his every word subtitled – and there's no faulting Trachtenberg's ambition in turning one of cinema's great sci-fi villains into a hero you can't help but root for. Where Trachtenberg takes Predator from here is an open question. Everyone and their chestburster may want to see Alien vs. Predator finally done right, but Badlands establishes a new creature feature dynamic for the series that sequels are well placed to capitalise on. Either way, the future of the ugliest motherf***er in movies is looking good. Predator: Badlands releases in theaters on November 7. For more, check out our list of the best sci-fi movies , and keep up with upcoming movies in 2025 and beyond. TOPICS Source: https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/predator-badlands-review/