Directed by Dan Trachtenberg.
Predator: Badlands was released in theaters on November 7, 2025.
Distributed by 20th Century Studios.
Predator: Badlands (Movie) Review
Predator: Badlands is a fast, intense, and action-packed survival movie that brings the classic Predator creature into a harsh new setting.
Instead of a jungle or city, the story takes place across dangerous desert badlands where a new group of people must fight for their lives.
The film focuses on raw fear, teamwork, and smart survival skills rather than over-the-top sci-fi.
The action scenes are sharp, the atmosphere is tense, and the Predator feels more brutal than ever.
The story keeps things moving quickly, with characters forced to think fast or die.
Fans of the franchise will enjoy the return to a more grounded style, while newcomers will appreciate the simple, high-stakes plot.
CR Rating – 7.5/10
Predator: Badlands Actors
Elle Fanning as Thia / Tessa
DOB: April 9, 1998.
Bio: Elle Fanning transitioned from a celebrated child actor into an award-season-caliber leading lady with a versatile career spanning both blockbuster and independent films.
She is known for her luminous screen presence, subtle emotional nuance, and ability to oscillate between vulnerability and intensity.
Role: Thia is a damaged synthetic created by Weyland-Yutani who forms an unexpected, empathetic bond with Dek, while Tessa, her “sister” synthetic, functions as a colder, more calculating counterpart.
Fanning portrays both characters, providing one of the film’s emotional centers through a nuanced exploration of empathy, identity, and programmed behavior.
Interesting facts: Director Trachtenberg and the writers specifically sought Fanning for her ability to embody both vulnerability and resilience.
Notable works: Somewhere, Super 8, The Beguiled, A Rainy Day in New York.
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek (voice of Njohrr as well)
DOB: February 6, 2001.
Bio: Samoan-New Zealand actor and physical performer known for his charisma and ability to bring emotional depth to physically demanding roles.
He has been recognized in press for translating empathy and personality through movement, particularly in non-human or heavily costumed characters.
Role: Dek is the film’s protagonist, a young, outcast Yautja (Predator), considered a “runt” within his warrior culture.
The character’s arc follows survival, identity, and the challenge of proving himself in a society that prizes strength above all else.
Interesting facts: Dimitrius actively worked to subvert audience expectations of the Predator franchise, aiming to create a sympathetic, relatable character.
Notable works: Predator: Badlands (breakout lead); emerging credits in physical performance and genre projects.
Reuben de Jong as Njohrr
DOB: N/A.
Bio: New Zealand strongman, mixed martial artist, stunt performer, and occasional actor.
Standing at an imposing height with a heavily muscled physique, he has built a career blending competitive athletics with high-impact stunt work and creature performances.
Role: Njohrr is the clan leader of the Yautja and father to Dek and Kwei.
He embodies the rigid, unforgiving patriarch of Predator society, believing Dek to be weak and a liability to the clan.
As the central familial antagonist, Njohrr’s decisions and harsh enforcement of cultural codes drive Dek’s exile and survival journey.
Interesting facts: De Jong’s competitive background as a strongman and MMA athlete allows him to perform demanding suit sequences with authenticity.
Notable works: Spartacus (stunt/actor work), The Warrior’s Way, multiple international strongman competitions and stunt projects.
Mike (Michael) Homik as Kwei
DOB: July 6, 1978.
Bio: Mike Homik is a former New Zealand basketball player who transitioned into acting and stunt performance.
His tall, athletic frame and extensive movement training make him ideally suited for creature and suit-based roles.
Role: Kwei is Dek’s older brother and protector within the Yautja clan.
He mentors Dek in preparation for his first hunt and ultimately defies the clan’s rigid, cruel code to support his younger sibling.
Interesting facts: Homik’s sports background and stunt experience were integral to achieving the role’s combination of power and tenderness.
Notable works: Creature/suit and stunt credits across genre films and series; credited in Badlands as Kwei.
Rohinal / Ravi Narayan as Bud
DOB: N/A.
Bio: New Zealand-based stunt performer and creature actor with an extensive résumé in high-profile productions.
He has contributed to large-scale films such as The Hobbit trilogy (scale double and stunt work) and other genre projects involving creature and stunt performance.
Role: Bud is a native creature on the planet Genna, small, simian-like, and crucial to Dek’s emotional journey.
Bud functions as both a companion and a narrative anchor, forming a bond with Dek that highlights empathy and connection in the harsh Predator world.
Interesting facts: He shared his pride in portraying Bud on social media after the film’s release, noting the creative freedom allowed in shaping a sympathetic alien character.
Notable works: The Hobbit films (scale/stunt performer), Sweet Tooth, various New Zealand genre and stunt projects.
Cameron Brown as Smyth (Drone Synthetic)
DOB: N/A.
Bio: New Zealand-based actor and stunt performer known for his work on both domestic and international genre productions.
He specializes in physical performance, stunt work, and roles requiring precise movement under prosthetics or in costume.
Role: Smyth is a Weyland-Yutani drone synthetic, a fully physical, movement-driven corporate android.
Brown’s performance conveys the crisp, inhuman efficiency of a synthetic while maintaining subtle cues that make the character believable within the story’s context.
Interesting facts: Brown frequently works as a “body performer,” handling stunts, creature, and practical-effect roles while other performers provide voiceover.
Notable works: Stunt and physical performer credits on international blockbusters.
Alison Wright ‘voice of MU/TH/UR (MU-TH-UR A.I.)
DOB: July 12, 1976.
Bio: English actress with extensive stage and screen experience.
She built a strong U.S. career through guest and recurring TV roles, most notably in The Americans, which earned her an Emmy nomination.
Role: MU/TH/UR is the Weyland-Yutani overseer A.I., the cold and calculating corporate intelligence that manages the company’s operations and decisions.
Wright’s performance as the voice of MU/TH/UR provides a clinical, organized, and persuasive authority, contrasting sharply with Thia’s emergent empathy and humanity.
Interesting facts: Wright’s theater training and on-screen experience enhance her voice work, allowing her to give even a supporting or non-physical role a strong presence.
Notable works: The Americans, Sneaky Pete, Snowpiercer, stage work in London and New York.
Stefan Grube ‘voice of Kwei / Editor
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Stefan Grube is a professional film editor with experience on feature films, including Predator: Badlands.
In addition to his editing work, he contributes vocally as Kwei, one of the Yautja characters, exemplifying the occasional crossover of crew members into voice acting in genre productions.
Role: Grube provides the voice for Kwei, the protective older brother Yautja whose physical performance is handled by Mike Homik.
The voice work complements the physical suit acting, ensuring Kwei feels both imposing and emotionally resonant.
Interesting facts: It’s common in effects-heavy productions for off-camera crew, such as editors or VFX artists, to contribute ADR or creature voices.
Notable works: Editing credits on Badlands and other feature projects.
Matt Duffer ‘voice — onboard computer (Kwei’s ship)
DOB: February 15, 1984.
Bio: Matt Duffer is one half of the Duffer Brothers, the creators, writers, and directors of Stranger Things.
He makes a small voice cameo in Predator: Badlands, marking a playful involvement in the franchise outside of his usual creative roles.
Role: Duffer provides the voice for the onboard computer of Kwei’s ship, a brief, Easter-egg-style contribution that functions as a nod to fans and industry insiders rather than a narrative-heavy character.
Interesting facts: Director Trachtenberg included the Duffers in the voice cast as a playful nod, especially since scheduling conflicts prevented collaboration on Stranger Things’ final season.
Notable works: Stranger Things (creator, writer, director), other Duffer Brothers projects.
Ross Duffer ‘voice — onboard computer (Kwei’s ship)
DOB: February 15, 1984.
Bio: Ross Duffer is the twin brother of Matt Duffer, and together they are the renowned Duffer Brothers, creators and showrunners of Stranger Things.
While primarily known for writing, directing, and producing, Ross contributes a small voice cameo in Predator: Badlands, sharing the credit with his brother Matt.
Role: Ross provides a brief voice cameo as part of Kwei’s ship computer.
Like Matt’s contribution, this role is a playful Easter egg rather than a story-driven performance.
Interesting facts: The Duffer Brothers’ joint cameo adds an insider nod and playful industry Easter egg for fans, reflecting Trachtenberg’s fondness for subtle meta-references.
Notable works: Stranger Things (creator, writer, director), other Duffer Brothers projects.
FAQ – Predator: Badlands 2025 Movie
What is Predator: Badlands about?
It’s about a group of special-ops soldiers face a new breed of Predator while trapped in a lawless desert region known as the Badlands.
Is Predator: Badlands a sequel?
Yes. It expands the Predator universe with a new standalone story set in a remote, hostile region.
It is not a direct sequel but continues the franchise’s legacy of survival-driven sci-fi action.
Do you need to watch previous Predator movies first?
No. The film introduces new characters, a new setting, and a fresh storyline.
What is the runtime and rating?
Runtime is about 107 minutes, and the film received a PG-13 rating.
Conclusion
Predator: Badlands (2025) delivers exactly what longtime fans hoped for, a gritty, high-tension survival thriller that returns the franchise to its primal roots.
Set against the harsh, lawless frontier of the Badlands, the film embraces a grounded style with fierce action, brutal showdowns, and a focus on human resilience when facing an unstoppable extraterrestrial hunter.
Its blend of suspense, world-building, and character-driven storytelling gives the Predator series a fresh pulse while honoring what made it iconic in the first place.
With strong performances, tight pacing, and a visually striking atmosphere, Predator: Badlands stands out as one of the most engaging entries in the franchise.
It’s a relentless, edge-of-your-seat watch that fans of action, sci-fi, and survival horror will appreciate.