Predator: Badlands Review: Ruined By Goofiness & Feminist Nonsense

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Look, I really wanted to love Predator: Badlands. It had the potential to be something truly great, but it just doesn’t land. Honestly, it felt weighed down by unnecessary silliness and a really heavy-handed attempt at pushing a particular agenda. It’s frustrating, because Disney clearly couldn’t resist adding those elements, and it ultimately hurts the film. It’s a shame, because the core concept is solid, but it’s buried under a lot of stuff that just doesn’t work.

This new Predator feels like a watered-down version of the one I remember – the same series known for its over-the-top action, like a Predator gleefully destroying Arnold Schwarzenegger with a nuclear blast. But now, it seems to be influenced by Disney’s tendency to make everything cute and family-friendly, like ‘Baby Yoda’.

Disney acquired Star Wars, Marvel, and Fox hoping to broaden their appeal beyond traditional princess stories. However, instead of letting those brands stand on their own, Disney imposed its familiar princess-focused style on them, which ultimately didn’t work. Surprisingly, this approach didn’t attract the existing Disney Princess fanbase either.

As a fan, it honestly feels like Disney just has one trick up its sleeve. If I were a creator with a great concept, they’d probably insist on shoehorning in something trendy like Baby Yoda or Baby Groot, and then demand all the women be perfect, brilliant heroes while making the men either useless or villains. It’s frustrating because it feels like there’s no original thought happening, and frankly, I think a complete overhaul of the creative team is needed.

Note: Spoilers below.

Going In Blind

I skipped the trailers and only knew a couple of things going in: Dek, the Predator, was the smallest of his kind, and Elle Fanning’s character was artificial. I’m not a huge Predator enthusiast – I only really enjoy the original movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I wasn’t planning on watching Badlands any more than I was Prey, but the very different reviews I saw – one strange from The Hollywood Reporter and a really positive one from Tyrone Magnus – made me curious. I wanted to see what I thought for myself, and ended up with mixed feelings.

Is Predator: Badlands Woke?

It definitely has a heavy feminist message.

Dek is cool and badass at times, but look at the pattern:

  • Dek’s entire biological family — all dudes — hate him and want him dead.
  • His “new family”? All women.
  • The creature they nickname “Bud”? Yep, also female.
  • Bud’s parent? A single mom.
  • The synths? Female-coded. They answer to “mother.”
  • The male synths? Canon fodder.
  • And who shows up at the end? His mom — because apparently Predator parents are divorced now.

It’s not subtle.

The Problems Hit Fast

During Dek’s fight with his father and brother, it quickly became clear that his reactions – like wide, frightened eyes – seemed deliberately crafted to make him more relatable and sympathetic to Disney viewers.

Dek arrives on the alien planet only to find he’s lost all his weapons. Why would that happen? Apparently, so he’s forced to depend on a damaged robot and a small, plant-like creature that reminds you of Baby Yoda or Groot. It’s a classic setup, really.

The synthesizer soundtrack was really out of place. The movie tried too hard to make Marvel-like jokes, and it just felt awkward and didn’t fit the Predator vibe.

The creature clearly inspired by Baby Yoda didn’t improve things. While they did give it a backstory, and it wasn’t a bad story, it didn’t need to be overly adorable.

The Thia Problem

The relationship between Thia and Dek quickly became too much. The director seemed to recognize this, even showing Dek falling asleep during Thia’s long speech – a moment I definitely understood. Honestly, I wasn’t interested in the music either.

She describes her other synthesizer with a lot of affection, almost as if it were a romantic relationship. Perhaps that’s what people noticed with THR. Then, Dek suddenly calls them both “sisters,” which feels like a last-minute addition to the story.

Story, Fights, and the Big Issues

I enjoyed the core story about Dek trying to earn his family’s respect. The fact that his father killed his brother was a real surprise.

When you really consider the story, the power dynamics don’t add up. Dek is portrayed as the weakest – less powerful than both his brother and father. However, he manages to defeat them all, including two stronger siblings, before even facing his father? And all of this happens right after he’s taken in by a group of all-female allies?

Right.

Just then, Mom enters the room. It’s unclear whether she’s about to be upset with him, or if she’s coming to welcome the new people. It’s hard to say what she’ll do.

What Works

To be fair:

  • The VFX are excellent.
  • The fight choreography is strong.
  • The creature designs (minus the cutesy Bud aesthetic) look great.
  • The score is solid.

The movie is somewhat enjoyable, but it’s weighed down by insensitive themes and overly childish moments.

The Verdict

Predator: Badlands feels like a softened version of the classic Predator films. While it has action and a few exciting scenes, it’s bogged down by unnecessary silliness and a rather obvious attempt at feminist messaging. It wasn’t a terrible movie, but I kept imagining how much better it could have been without the studio’s interference. Apparently, the original idea – a Predator versus Nazis storyline – was much more promising, though it would have definitely been a more mature, R-rated film.

Score: 6/10.

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2025-11-12 01:32