Predator: Badlands — A Surprisingly Heartfelt Hunt Through Disney’s Sci-Fi Jungle

this is an AI generated fan art image and not part of the predator lore

I caught Predator: Badlands the day after its November 7th premiere, hoping to dodge the crowd. And I’ve got to say—this movie surprised me. If you’re expecting a straight-up Predator flick that slots neatly into the franchise, this isn’t it. But if you’re open to a bold, action-packed sci-fi adventure with unexpected emotional depth and a dash of Disney flavor, you’re in for a ride.

🧬 A Predator Movie… with a Heart?

The story hinges on two opposing forces: the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (yes, that one) and the Yautja species (now apparently called “Yochi”). On one side, you’ve got androids and AI trying to dominate the galaxy through tech. On the other, a warrior race obsessed with ceremonial hunts and honor. They could wipe out entire planets—but that’s not their way. This film dives deep into their culture, drama, and ethos.

We follow Deck, a young Yochi deemed the runt of his litter. His father, in true harsh patriarch fashion, orders his older son to kill him. That’s where the drama kicks off. The brother refuses, triggering a chain of events that sends Deck to a death planet to hunt the Callus—a beast no Yochi has ever defeated. It’s part vengeance, part legacy, part “I-have-nothing-left-to-lose” energy.

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🎬 CGI, Subtitles, and a Whole Lotta Disney

The first 15 minutes? No English. All subtitles. And the opening scene? Pure CGI chaos. It’s hard to follow, but hey—it’s a Disney-produced Predator movie. Would’ve felt weird if it didn’t open like that.

Once the dust settles, we get a surprisingly tender brotherly moment after a brutal training fight. Turns out they do care about each other. But their father? Not so much. He denies Deck his ceremonial hunt, demands his death, and sets the stage for betrayal, sacrifice, and exile.

Deck crash-lands on the death planet with vengeance in his heart and doubt in his mind. And here’s where things get weird—in a good way.

🤖 Enter Elle Fanning, Android Comic Relief

Deck stumbles into a vulture’s nest and meets Elle, a half-android played by Elle Fanning. She’s great. She brings comic relief, dual roles, and a whole lot of Disney energy. Suddenly, we’re in buddy-film territory—think Frodo and Sam with their own Smeagol tagging along. It’s charming, but unmistakably Disney. The tone shift is real.

🪐 Shades of John Carter and Prey

This movie reminded me a lot of John Carter. The action, the pacing, the world-building—it all felt familiar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney dusted off an old script and retrofitted it for the Predator universe. If so, good call. It works.

And yes, this is the same director as Prey. If you liked that one (and you should—it’s on Hulu), you’ll probably enjoy Badlands. It’s got that same unexpected emotional core wrapped in sci-fi spectacle.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Disney’s Favorite Theme: Found Family

Like many Disney stories, Badlands leans hard into the “found family” trope. Biological parents are either dead, evil, or inept. The real growth happens when the protagonist finds connection outside their bloodline. It’s a recurring theme, and Badlands doesn’t shy away from it.

🎟️ Final Verdict: Worth the Ticket

I walked out of the theater feeling satisfied. That’s rare. Predator: Badlands may not be canon (I’m not deep enough into the comics or extended lore to say), but as a standalone film? It’s worth your time. Take your family. Enjoy the ride. Just don’t expect a traditional Predator experience—and maybe that’s the point.