Predator has never looked better as Dan Trachtenberg’s latest Badlands takes it in a whole new direction. Trachtenberg of course is not a newcomer to the series with the release of Prey a couple of years ago. We also go earlier this year to the animated series that is definitely an appetizer for Badlands. The film stars Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as the runt Yautja named Dek. Badlands is truly a coming of age wrapped up in an epic sci fi adventure into an unknown planet.

I was a little worried that Badlands would just be the same old same old we’ve seen from the franchise already. Trachtenberg right from the jump showcases that this one was going to be different. The main character here is the Yautja and works more as an antihero than the antagonist. How much could we really connect to a being that has been the “monster” in the rest of the franchise? Actually, a whole lot is how much you’re going to care by the end of the film. All of this works due to the motion captures of Dimitrius that brings much more life to the Predator than I expected. There’s a story that’s setup so well you’re just rooting for Dek throughout.

Elle as the Weyland-Yutani synthetic Thia is what really brings the story together. A lot of the movie relies on the chemistry between the synthetic and Yautja which is just electrifying. This is where Badlands really defines itself straying from the series. In the latest installment we get a buddy comedy/scifi adventure which is something the series has never done. It works so well but also keeping the essence of what people love about this series. You still get to see the Predator engaging in awesome action sequences, but also see that there’s more than just brawn to the character.

This expansion on the Yautja is what I really loved about the film. It’s bringing the franchise to new uncharted territory that I think is exactly what’s needed. Instead of the Predators being this menacing horrific villain, we’re learning more about their wants and needs. There’s this new connection that is built that is relatable and has you rooting for the unlikeliest character.