A franchise is officially reborn with Predator: Badlands
Having a point of entry for new fans is always a challenge when approaching an established film franchise. Having said that, the latest entry from Dan Tratchenberg adds freshness to the narrative and lore behind Predator in a way that will please fans old and new.
The story follows Dek, a Yautja who seeks to earn the honour of his clan by going on a hunt to prove his worth. The narrative follows the classic hero’s journey by thrusting Dek into his hunt with little preparation and knowledge of the beast he looks to claim.
Dek is ambushed by native creatures on the planet Genna.
The pacing of the film is phenomenal. Within the first 15 minutes we’re fully into the adventure after Dek is exiled on the planet Genna after witnessing the death of his brother Kwei. Between the set up of the film and its conclusion, there isn’t a single scene that feels out of place or unworthy of its screen time.
If the familial ties aren’t enough to get behind the villain-turned-hero, we also see Dek evolve not only his hunting techniques, but also his outlook on how the Yautja operate - as part of a team. When the film begins, Dek is considered a ‘lone wolf’ for all intents and purposes, but decides to change his ways when Thia (Elle Fanning) teaches him that some of the most fierce and noble creatures on earth work in packs.
Elle Fanning’s performance as Thia and Tessa is the standout of the film. Thia knows what it means to be human despite not being one herself. Tessa also understands, but sees emotion and attachment as something to be exploited. Fanning’s performance elevates the film by operating as the angel on Dek’s shoulder, always pushing him in the right direction.
Elle Fanning’s Thia waits for rescue after being stranded on the planet Genna.
There’s times in the film where it spells out concepts for the audience a little too plainly. Thia delivers a line about why their company gave the synth’s feelings that feels a little too on the nose. The villains of the film explain their plans for their mission as if they’d been unaware of their own goals or purpose.
Predator: Badlands takes a bold risk by making the Yautja (the Predators) the protagonists. In previous predator installments, their screen time ends up being significantly smaller than the humans due to the nature of the hunt - the predators stay cloaked and hidden while hunting their prey.
Badlands also pays homage to previous installments. There’s a scene near the end of the film that was nearly lifted beat by beat from the original Predator. In preparation for the film’s climax, Dek prepares his new armour and weapons from materials he gathered on the planet much like Dutch did in the 1987 original.
Much like the Yautja themselves, Predator: Badlands evolves the franchise to stay fresh while pleasing new and returning fans. If the direction of the franchise continues to border on anthology, then the possibilities for stories set in this universe are nearly endless. Tratchenberg creates a lore and history that allows the telling of new stories while having a loose thread to connect them all, as we saw earlier this year with Killer of Killers.
In an age where legacy sequels are easy to make a quick buck, it feels rewarding to have a franchise with a history as long as Predator take risks and find new life on the big screen.