The sci-fi thriller Predator: Badlands is now available for streaming on Hulu. Released theatrically in November, the film marks the biggest box office success in the Predator franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, this installment breaks from the series’ typical formula: instead of pitting a Predator against a group of humans, it centers on a single Yautja hunter’s desperate fight for survival.
A New Take on the Predator Mythos
The movie follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Predator on a coming-of-age hunt. His mission is to prove himself worthy of his clan, but a crash landing on a hostile planet complicates things. The environment itself is deadly, with lethal flora adding to the dangers. Dek finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani android. This partnership shifts the dynamics of the story, forcing Dek to rely on a non-human companion in his struggle to survive.
Why This Matters
The Predator franchise has traditionally focused on human survival against the technologically superior alien hunter. Badlands flips this dynamic, placing the Predator in a vulnerable position and forcing him to adapt. This approach is significant because it expands the mythology of the Yautja, showing them as individuals with motivations beyond pure hunting. The film’s success suggests audiences are receptive to exploring deeper narratives within the established universe.
Badlands is available to watch now on Hulu.
