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Predator: Badlands Draws Early Praise for Craft as Reviews Question Softer Tone

The sixth Predator film centers a young Yautja on a rite-of-passage hunt, shifting the franchise to his point of view.

Overview

  • Critics commend Dan Trachtenberg’s direction, citing muscular action and immersive visuals with Jeff Cutter’s cinematography and deft practical–digital blending.
  • Multiple reviews describe a tonal pivot toward PG-13 sensibilities, with Mexican outlets repeatedly invoking “Disneyfication” and noting added humor and broader-family appeal.
  • Some reviewers fault a very brief and simple screenplay and say the production leans heavily on digital work despite its scale and polish.
  • The story follows Dek, a young Yautja seeking to prove himself on the planet Genna, accompanied by Thia, a half-body android portrayed by Elle Fanning.
  • The film is in theaters, including a confirmed release in Mexico, with early reactions emphasizing spectacle over the franchise’s traditional horror edge.