I know we’ve seen a Predator team up with a human-like character before, but now it’s actually in a good movie.
In a spin on the normal structure, the protagonist of “Badlands” is a predator. Their species is actually called Yautja and the hero of the movie is Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi). Considered a runt of his Yautja clan, Dek’s father decides he needs to be killed off for the good of the tribe, but the young warrior is saved by his brother and sent to a world where he can prove himself.
There, he must hunt the dangerous apex predator known as Kalisk, but the planet is extremely dangerous. Fortunately for him, he meets a damaged, but functioning, android named Thia (Elle Fanning) who promises to help him. They begin a journey together and soon learn there’s more danger out there than just the wildlife.
“Predator: Badlands” immediately sets itself apart from others in the franchise in that it takes place from the perspective of a Yautja. It does this even more as Thia enters the picture, and the flick becomes a buddy movie. It’s the classic odd couple pairing, one series and stoic, the other sarcastic and loose.
It’s a dynamic that can really shine when done right, and that’s the case with “Badlands.” Director Dan Trachtenberg, who co-wrote the flick with Patrick Aison, managed to pull off pairing this unlikely duo in convincing fashion, and set them off on an entertaining adventure. Despite it being quite different than what we’re used to with the “Predator” franchise, it works.
It’s not a complete departure, either. Dek keeps with what the audience knows about this species. They are a proud warrior race with a rough exterior and a shoot-first mentality. At the same time, they’ve been known to show respect and have an honor code, allowing them to connect. This is just what happens in “Badlands,” with Dek coming to understand and appreciate Thia.
Seeing that develop naturally, all while Thia is wisecracking and speaking her mind to him makes for a great connection between the two. Watching them learn to rely on each other and form a bond keeps a viewer invested. It’s also great that the journey they’re on is an exciting one.
There are some interesting threats at play in “Badlands,” a field of razor-sharp, slicing grass is one example, and it makes for some solid action bits. This is also true with the primary antagonists, which leads to a great set piece in the third act. There’s some real creativity with the action
Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi deserves plenty of credit for bringing personality to Dek. Even with him speaking an alien language and appearing as a monstrous looking creature, he does a lot physically to make Dek a fully-realized character.
Fanning is really good in her role too. She portrays that smugness that the synthetics in this universe have been known to display, but also shows how they have the ability to connect and develop real feelings. The two performers have a solid chemistry as well.
“Predator: Badlands” offers an enjoyable blend of humor and action with two memorable protagonists who even pick up a fun pet to boot. It admittedly gets too hokey in a few moments and the picture’s story is fairly formulaic. However, it does so many things right that it’s easy to overlook. A winning action flick, 4 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 