Predator returns—You’ve never seen him like this before (video)

KATHMANDU: The Predator franchise is evolving once again with Predator: Badlands, a daring and visually stunning new entry set to hit theaters on Nov 7, 2025.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the creative force behind Prey, this latest installment pushes the franchise into fresh emotional and philosophical territory—without losing the primal intensity that made the original a legend.

A YOUNG PREDATOR, AN UNFAMILIAR WORLD

Breaking away from traditional storylines, Badlands introduces a new kind of protagonist: a young, exiled Predator, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.

Cast out from his clan, this Predator navigates a hostile alien landscape—not Earth—as he confronts questions of identity, survival, and what it means to hunt with purpose.

Opposite him is Elle Fanning, playing Thia, a mysterious android who may be tied to Weyland-Yutani, the shadowy megacorp from the Alien universe. Her presence hints at deeper connections between these two sci-fi giants—suggesting Badlands might finally bridge the lore between Predator and Alien in a meaningful way.

BEHIND THE CAMERA

The film was shot on location in New Zealand, with stunning visuals crafted by Jeff Cutter (cinematographer) and cutting-edge effects from Weta FX and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). The atmosphere is moody, the aesthetic rich with bio-mechanical horror, and the tone far more introspective than the typical man-vs-monster formula.

Trachtenberg’s vision challenges genre expectations, focusing on character psychology and emotional stakes as much as physical conflict. It’s not just a new Predator—it’s a new kind of storytelling for the franchise.

A LEGACY OF THE HUNT

Predator: Badlands follows a lineage of iconic films:

• Predator (1987): The original jungle-set classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

• Predator 2 (1990): A gritty urban sequel expanding Predator lore.

• Predators (2010): A spiritual successor set on an alien game preserve.

• The Predator (2018): A modern reboot with a bigger, more chaotic tone.

• Prey (2022): A critical hit set in 1719, reimagining the Predator as a primal force.

Now, Badlands promises to be the franchise’s most ambitious leap yet—emotionally charged, visually groundbreaking, and steeped in mythology.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect less brute-force action and more emotional tension. Expect stunning alien worlds and high-concept sci-fi. And expect a Predator like you’ve never seen before—not just a hunter, but a character with something to prove.

Predator: Badlands is more than just a sequel—it’s a bold redefinition of what it means to be both predator and prey.

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