PREDATOR BADLANDS
“Predator: Badlands” has been making noise across the internet, and with good reason. Critics and audiences are vibing with this fresh spin on the legendary franchise. The film currently sits with an impressively high approval rating, and most reviewers agree on one thing: this is one of the boldest Predator entries in years.
Across major review platforms, praise keeps circling back to the film’s biggest swing — letting the Predator take center stage. Instead of the usual human-in-the-crosshairs formula, “Badlands” steps into the mind and world of Dek, the Yautja outcast, turning the story into something far richer than a simple hunt. Critics applaud the visual world-building, the tight pacing, and the surprising emotional depth woven into the desert-set narrative.
Of course, the film isn’t without its detractors. Some longtime fans feel it drifts too far from the gritty, sweat-and-gunpowder energy of the 1987 classic. A handful of reviewers say the tone is lighter than expected, trading raw tension for character-driven storytelling. There’s also chatter about the new Predator design and lore tweaks, which some viewers love and others side-eye.
But the overall consensus? “Badlands” is a bold, energetic revitalization of the franchise. It dares to evolve the Predator mythos without losing the pulse-pounding action that made the series iconic. For fans open to a fresh perspective and a more layered narrative, this movie hits hard.
If you want, I can turn this into a full blog post with intro, conclusion, sub-headings, and SEO-friendly phrasing.
✅ What critics and viewers liked
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The film is regarded by many as “one of the best in the franchise”. For example, the review-aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes lists a Tomatometer score of 89% based on ~75 reviews. Rotten Tomatoes+2Rotten Tomatoes Editorial+2
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Reviewers praised the fresh perspective: unlike prior Predator films which focus on humans hunted by the alien, this one centers on the Predator (named “Dek”) himself—making him the protagonist. Roger Ebert+2ScreenCrush+2
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Visuals and world-building got strong marks. Critics say the film “zips along”, delivers striking visuals, and builds meaningful stakes. Rotten Tomatoes+2Rotten Tomatoes Editorial+2
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Some reviews highlight emotional depth: the film weaves in themes of identity and belonging (especially for Dek as an outcast) which gives more heart than many previous entries. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial+1
⚠️ What critics and viewers found weaker
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Some longtime fans or reviewers felt it diverged too much from the “gritty predator hunting humans in the jungle” vibe that defined early entries. For example:
“Certainly doesn’t capture the horror and tension of Predator 1, 2 … but … innovation and lore building.” IMDb
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The tone is noted to be somewhat lighter (or at least different) than expected. One review says it’s “dorkily funny … in a nerd-snort … way”. thebulwark.com
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A few reviewers mention that while it’s fun and entertaining, it may not fully live up to the original’s atmosphere. Example:
“An entertaining Predator movie that hasn’t lived up to the original.” KSL
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Some fans raised concerns about lore and visual design changes: the new Predator design, environments and narrative structure are seen as bold but also a departure. Predator Movies+1
📝 Summary verdict
“Predator: Badlands” is largely a strong and welcome revitalization of the franchise, especially for those willing to accept a little change in tone and perspective. It switches the viewpoint to the Predator himself, adds more character and emotional stakes than many entries, and is visually ambitious. For fans interested in a fresh narrative twist and a bit more depth, this one delivers.
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