The action movie landscape of the late 1980s and 90s was a distinctive era. Before the dominance of interconnected franchises and superhero saturation, films like Die Hard, Terminator 2, and the original Predator thrived on explosive spectacle, muscular heroes, and high body counts. These movies weren’t just about action; they were genuinely fun, often embracing their own absurdity with self-aware humor and memorable one-liners.
That spirit, often lost in modern blockbusters, has been revitalized by Predator: Badlands. Director Dan Trachtenberg, who previously breathed new life into the series with Prey, continues to innovate. The latest installment takes a bold step: making a Predator the protagonist, a radical departure for a franchise known for humans as prey.
The Evolution of the Action Genre
The shift toward more serious, often self-important blockbusters has changed the action landscape. While some franchises, like Terminator and even Predator itself (with Alien vs. Predator ), have experimented with lower ratings for wider appeal, the core element of pure entertainment has sometimes been sacrificed. Badlands rejects this trend.
The film’s PG-13 rating—a departure from the original Predator’s R-rating—doesn’t diminish its impact. The film understands that gratuitous gore isn’t the point. The opening scene, where a Predator father brutally executes his son, Dek, is shocking enough to convey the stakes without relying on excessive bloodletting. The violence isn’t missing; it’s effective.
A Playground of Absurdity
The world of Badlands is intentionally ridiculous. Genna, the “Death Planet,” features armed plants, explosive insects, and a virtually indestructible monster, the Kalisk, that can instantly regenerate lost limbs. This over-the-top setting isn’t a mistake; it’s a deliberate choice to lean into the franchise’s inherent outlandishness. The original Predator, released just after Aliens, was already larger-than-life, blending Schwarzenegger-style machismo with sci-fi horror.
Badlands doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s its strength. The inclusion of the Weyland-Yutani corporation from the Alien universe feels natural; it’s a shorthand for corporate villainy rather than a forced crossover. The dynamic between Dek and Thia, a human ally who serves as comic relief, is reminiscent of buddy-cop pairings like Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon.
Embracing the Ludicrous
The film doesn’t pretend to be high art. Instead, it delivers a joyous, silly experience with moments of genuine creativity, like a disembodied pair of legs outperforming Wallace and Gromit’s contraptions. It’s a tonal shift akin to Thor: Ragnarok, embracing camp and humor while still honoring the core action elements.
Ultimately, Predator: Badlands isn’t just a movie; it’s a reminder that action films can be thrilling and fun. The franchise’s premise—a highly advanced alien race dedicated solely to hunting—is already absurd, so why not lean into it? The 80s and 90s understood this; we embraced the overblown ridiculousness of action cinema. There’s no reason to stop now.
Predator: Badlands is currently in theaters. The rest of the Predator movies are available on streaming platforms like Hulu (US) or Disney+ (International). If you travel, a VPN like NordVPN can help you maintain access to your preferred streaming services.
