As the only director to have helmed more than a single Predator film (previously the direct-to-streaming Prey and animated anthology Killer of Killers), Dan Trachtenberg has become the de facto shepherd of the franchise, and that’s a good thing. With Badlands, he takes audiences in a new direction, revealing some deep backstory to the “Yautja” culture and even creating sympathy for the story’s underdog protagonist.
We open on their homeworld where Dek, the runt of his clan, struggles to prove his worth, particularly in the eyes of his cold, fanatical father. Barely escaping execution, Dek blasts off to the “death planet” of Genna, desperate to kill the ultimate prey and earn his prized camouflage cloak once and for all. Immediately we discover how this place earned its nickname, and he only survives his first few moments with the help of a sassy robot, a “synthetic” named Thia (Elle Fanning). They form an unconventional bond and begin a shared quest, fraught with danger and more than a few twists big and small.
Predator: Badlands was shot digitally and yielded a native 4K master filled with extensive computer-generated visual effects that are photo-realistic and imperceptibly blended, such that the adventure plays out like we’re viewing it all through a 2.39:1 window. The use of color is occasionally quite clever, such as when a bleak, oppressive sky is streaked with vermilion. Emissive highlights stand out as well, particularly when the headlights of high-tech vehicles slice through the darkness.
Enemies approach and attack from all directions, and the hand-to-hand fights are some of the fiercest I’ve seen in a minute, bringing us some wonderfully hyperactive panning across the surrounds. Bass impact is outstanding, from rocket blasts to explosions to individual weapon hits, with the testosterone meter seldom dipping below 10. Among the more subtle flourishes, a distinctive inorganic effect is applied to the synthetics’ voices, at different levels as the mood commands. Worth noting, the Dolby Atmos track is exclusive to the 4K disc, as the included HD Blu-ray disc tops out at DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1.
Trachtenberg anchors the commentary, joined by his producer, director of photography and stunt coordinator. The track also appears on the HD Blu-ray, where the assorted featurettes do a fantastic job of breaking down the unique challenges of such an original production. In addition, there are half a dozen deleted, alternate and extended scenes, some rendered as detailed pre-visualizations, totaling almost half an hour, with their own optional commentary. The two-disc (plus digital copy) set is also being offered as a SteelBook ($76.99 at Amazon)
Fans will be quick to note that this is not the first Predator movie that tips its cap to the long-running Alien franchise, although when the script isn’t giving us a nifty wink it can be a bit derivative of a variety of sources. Overall, Badlands is a fierce and revitalized entry in the franchise that absolutely dominates in a home theater setting.
Movie Details
- STUDIO: Fox/Disney
- FORMAT: Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray (February 17, 2026)
- THEATRICAL RELEASE YEAR: 2025
- ASPECT RATIO: 2.39:1
- HDR FORMATS: Dolby Vision, HDR10
- AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby Atmos with TrueHD 7.1 core
- LENGTH: 107 mins.
- MPAA RATING: PG-13
- DIRECTOR: Dan Trachtenberg
- STARRING: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Rohinal Nayaran, Chris Terhune, Mike Homik, Stefan Grube
Our Ratings
★★★★★★★★★★ Picture
★★★★★★★★★★ Sound
★★★★★★★★★★ Extras
Where to buy
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