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Predator: Badlands Draws Divided First Reviews Ahead of Friday Theatrical Debut

Reviews point to the franchise’s PG-13 reinvention as the key factor shaping reactions.

Overview

  • Dan Trachtenberg’s film opens November 7 exclusively in theaters with IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, 4DX, ScreenX and other premium formats.
  • The story reframes the series with Dek, a young Yautja protagonist (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), joining Weyland‑Yutani synth Thia (Elle Fanning, in dual roles) on a hunt across the deadly planet Genna.
  • Critics note the franchise’s first PG‑13 rating—achieved by avoiding human victims and leaning on alien and android blood—as a central change that some say dampens the traditional gore.
  • Early reactions consistently praise striking visuals, inventive creature design, expanded Yautja lore (including language and homeworld scenes), and the chemistry between Schuster‑Koloamatangi and Fanning.
  • Reservations focus on a lighter, family‑friendly tone, stretches of CGI‑heavy action and humor, and pacing bloat, even as several reviews still hail it as a rousing crowd‑pleaser.