The latest trailer for Predator: Badlands has dropped, offering a much deeper look at the upcoming sci-fi action film and its surprising ties to the Alien universe. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers), the film is set to release on November 7, and promises a fresh take on the Predator franchise.
A New Kind of Predator and an Unlikely Alliance
The story introduces Dek, a young Yautja (Predator) who has been cast out by his clan. Played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Dek is not your typical Predator — he’s an underdog determined to prove himself on a dangerous alien world known as Kalisk, also referred to as the “Death Planet.”
Dek teams up with Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning, a synthetic human created by the infamous Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Thia is a bio-weapons expert who, despite being cut in half during a brutal encounter, continues the mission with Dek’s help. Their bond forms the emotional core of the film and was reportedly inspired by the classic video game Shadow of the Colossus.
Xenomorphs, Mechs, and the Hunt for the Apex Predator
The trailer is packed with action, including a mysterious creature described as “a definitive apex predator”, possibly a xenomorph. There are also nods to Aliens, particularly in the closing moments where a massive mech suit enters the scene, reminiscent of Ripley’s iconic Power Loader.
Thia hints at more surprises by saying, “We might not be alone in this hunt,” suggesting other forces — or hunters — may join the battle.
With a mix of heart, horror, and high-stakes action, Predator: Badlands is shaping up to be a thrilling new chapter in both the Predator and Alien franchises.
