Disney and 20th Century Studios rolled out the red carpet in London for the world premiere of Predator: Badlandsand the first reactions begin to arrive.
While full reviews are still under wraps, those lucky enough to see it ahead of time are calling it a fresh, exciting, and surprisingly heartfelt addition to the Predator universe, even if it sounds like it might not hit the mark for everyone.
Directed by Dan Trachtenbergthe director behind Prey AND 10 Cloverfield Lane, Badlands brings the iconic sci-fi franchise back to the big screen with a new direction that has fans intrigued.
Early reactions on social media describe it as a “cosmic 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 the previous one Predator film, which has sparked a bit of debate online. A common thread in the reactions suggests that while the film undergoes “big swings,” not all of them play out perfectly.
It even says that “past fans may be disappointed”, suggesting that Trachtenberg may have shaken up tradition in unexpected ways.
Despite the mixed reviews, overall word of mouth remains largely positive. Fans praise the chemistry between the protagonists and the bold visual world that Trachtenberg has created.
The story itself marks a new chapter for the franchise, as it blends action, adventure, and emotional stakes in ways the series has never explored before.
Set in the future on a remote and deadly planet, Badlands follows a young outcast Predator, played by newcomer Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who teams up with Thia, played by Elle Fanning. Together, they embark on a perilous journey in search of their final adversary.
Until now, Predator: Badlands it appears to be an ambitious step forward for the franchise, aiming to expand the universe while attracting a wider audience. Whether this new tone will win over diehard fans or divide them remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Badlands is creating a new era for hunting.
PREDATOR: BADLANDS is the visual proof we need to crown Dan Trachtenberg the pioneer of the PREDATOR series. With each film he continues to push the limits of what this franchise is capable of, moving from action/horror to sci-fi/fantasy adventure…. pic.twitter.com/ZIWyqPDviE
— Christopher rates it 🦦 (@LuminousDagger) October 27, 2025
Dan Trachtenberg’s #PredatorBadlands is an epic show that takes us on a deep dive into Yautja mythology.
More sci-fi epic than a traditional Predator movie, it requires some big swings that don’t always land. Despite its bold approach, past fans may be disappointed. pic.twitter.com/udZTFnmh8N
— Phil Roberts (@philthecool) October 27, 2025
Predator Badlands is a cosmic road movie and it’s all killer, no filler. Dan Trachtenberg skillfully maneuvers the franchise onto a larger scale than just survival horror. It may not be as traditionally gory, but I had a lot of fun 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 the franchise’s classic brutality. Trachtenberg confidently continues to make the world of Predator captivating while Fanning enchants (and scares!) #PredatorBadlands pic.twitter.com/FS38i798Wf
— Christopher Gallardo (@chrisagwrites) October 28, 2025
It’s nice to see that some of my friends in the AvP fandom and beyond can finally see Predator Badlands. I think this movie is really fantastic and is different (brilliantly) from any other movie in the franchise. I can’t wait for the wide release in a few weeks.
Opaque. pic.twitter.com/u3WQ5GbqQg
— Matt Ferguson (@Cakes_Comics) October 28, 2025
I just left #PredatorBadlands and it’s an incredible action journey, the brutal and emotional journey of a Predator finding acceptance. Some of the best hand-to-hand combat I’ve seen in ages. 🔥 Don’t miss it 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 even more exciting action in this world, though this may be his weakest work in the series. It’s the most action-packed Predator movie ever made, some of it as brutal as you’d… pic.twitter.com/cIIx5Rx1wq
— Josh Barton (@bartonreviews) October 27, 2025
Predator Badlands Initial Thoughts: Absolutely a Dark Horse adaptation. Fans of the enlarged EU will get a lot of pleasure from this. It leaned heavily into the adventure/fantasy angle and really showed off the genre bending/flexibility of the Predator.
— Aaron Percival (@_CorporalHicks) October 27, 2025
Predator: Badlands is freaking awesome. Creative action, organic comedy and a story I was completely invested in. Dan Trachtenberg continues to push all the right buttons with this franchise. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/eoYNluPQoL
—Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) October 27, 2025
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
