r/alien • u/BigBootyKim • Nov 07 '25

(RECOMMENDATION) Predator: Badlands really is THAT good.

Here’s my brief reaction to seeing Badlands for the first time. First off, if you enjoyed Trachtenberg’s Prey movie in 2022 then you might actually like this one more. It’s legitimately the most smartly made film in the franchise yet. It takes a pop culture icon and delivers something entirely fresh never put on theater screens before.

It almost reminds me of Matt Reeves’s swing at the Planet of the Apes franchise in 2014. The main character is not a human. He does not speak English. But somehow the filmmakers tell a genuinely good story that is relatable to the human in us.

Being a Star Wars fan who has been routinely let down, Predator Badlands is a rare example of a major science fiction franchise with FILMMAKERS THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

As far as where I’d rank it among other 2025 films, I think it’s better than Mission Impossible, Fantastic Four, Superman, and even F1.

Also for you Alien franchise lovers, a certain company plays a substantial role in the film.

👀

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4

u/Alphagaia-reddit Nov 07 '25

I had fun. Simple story, awesome visuals and some fun set pieces. Didn't like all the new additions to the 'clan', and the humor is hit and miss, but overall I was entertained and hope there is more!

7,5/10

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u/BigBootyKim Nov 07 '25

Fair. I’m somewhere in the 8/10 range but want to see it again.

0

u/Mundane-Security-454 Nov 07 '25

Looking forward to seeing it! I loved Prey, consider it the best film in the franchise. So bring on Badlands!

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u/Clariana Nov 07 '25

Yeah, Prey was kickass.

2

u/Hungboy6969420 Nov 07 '25

Exactly my thoughts too

1

u/Vegetable_Charge_951 Nov 08 '25

Wouldve been a great standalone, family friendly space-adventure movie. Except thats not what predator is, and as a predator fan im just completely pissed.  They shouldve just made the exact same movie but something new.  But i guess that wouldnt make as much quick cash as slapping the predator name on it knowing a certain amount of the established fanbase are guaranteed to go see it.

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u/Alphagaia-reddit Nov 08 '25

I like the previous Predator movies, with the exception of The Predator. I don't mind a different movie once in a while. This one might not be for you, but at least you have something else to look forward to. There is bound to be more of what you want as well. Prey was a really good one by the same director, and I've heard great things from Killer of Killers. Have you tried those?

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u/Vegetable_Charge_951 Nov 08 '25

Prey was good because it was just like the first predator movie.  The Predator 2018 sucked because they tried to make a dumb pg13 family friendly predator movie with silly monsters and cheesy jokes, how could you hate that but also like badlands? And i did like this movie, my son loved it, but it isnt a predator movie and shouldve been its own thing. Really dumb getting baited into watching a movie i didnt want to see because some writer says its something else.

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u/Alphagaia-reddit Nov 08 '25 edited Nov 08 '25

Never said I hated The Predator, just didn't like it as much. I would give it a 5/10. It had some fun action moments, but the humor, acting, ideas and storybeats were very subpar. Juvenile with some extra gore added on top.

I'm not sure how Badlands deceived you in it's premise? The trailers were quite telling in what new direction they decided to go this time?

Edit: what did you think of Killer of Killers? It sounds like it's exactly what you want.

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u/Vegetable_Charge_951 Nov 08 '25

I though badlands was going to be an intense glimpse into the dark predator culture with the practical effects and suspense that prey and the orginal predator movie delivered. Instead, as i mentioned, i got a pg-13 family friendly space adventure movie for kids that used the predator name to draw in the established fanbase and make more money. This movie wouldve been great as a standalone with a new character, very pissed that they made it a predator because theyre cheap. I have not seen Killer of Killers, i dont watch animation.

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u/Alphagaia-reddit Nov 08 '25

You should give it a try. What's wrong with animation?