**Predator: Badlands Arrives This Weekend — A New High in the Predator Franchise**
*Predator: Badlands* hits theaters this weekend, marking the latest chapter in the iconic Predator series. While the franchise is a sci-fi classic, recent entries have been scoring higher than the original films—and much of that success can be attributed to one man: Dan Trachtenberg.
Trachtenberg first made waves in 2016 with his direction of *10 Cloverfield Lane*. Now, 11 years later, he returns to the Predator universe—not just once, but twice this year. Alongside *Predator: Badlands*, he also directed the animated *Predator: Killer of Killers*. Additionally, in 2022, Trachtenberg helmed *Prey*, a Native American-centered Predator film. Together, these three represent the top-scoring Predator movies in the franchise’s history.
Here’s a look at the audience scores across the series:
– *Predator: Killer of Killers* — 97%
– *Prey* — 94%
– *Predator: Badlands* — 89%
– *Predator* — 80%
– *Predators* — 65%
– *The Predator* — 34%
– *Predator 2* — 29%
– *Alien Vs. Predator* — 21%
– *Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem* — 12%
You might expect the original *Predator* to rank higher, given its classic status, but the newer films have clearly resonated with audiences in fresh ways. If you’ve seen *Killer of Killers* and *Prey*, you’ll understand why—and *Badlands* appears to be following suit.
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### A Different Take on the Predator Story
Unlike previous Predator movies, which often revolve around the iconic alien hunting humans, *Predator: Badlands* offers a unique twist. The film is set in the future on a remote planet and follows a young Predator, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who has been cast out from his clan. He finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning), and together they embark on a perilous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
Interestingly, there’s an *Alien* universe connection here. Thia is a Weyland-Yutani synthetic being (synth) and portrayed by Fanning, who also plays a dual role in the film. Notably, *Predator: Badlands* is the first in the franchise to feature a Predator as the protagonist, a change that has been well-received.
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### What the Critics Are Saying
– **RogerEbert.com**:
“The takeaway, I think, is applicable to beings all across the universe: sometimes the things you want most are not worth wanting, and until you figure that out, you’ll never be free.”
– **TimeOut**:
“It cleverly pulls at the supposed laws of the series in a way that makes it more interesting without diluting the fearsome nature of the title character. Trachtenberg is making the franchise richer with every installment.”
– **The Film Verdict**:
“Between the wise-cracking sidekick, the adorable non-verbal pet, and the protagonist who undergoes personal growth, *Predator: Badlands* often resembles the pilot of a vintage Saturday-morning cartoon—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
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### A PG-13 First for the Series
Another notable aspect of *Badlands* is that it’s the first Predator film rated PG-13. This may seem surprising for a franchise known for brutal violence, but the rating is less about toning down the action and more about the color of the blood. In the Predator universe, Predators and synths don’t bleed red, which influences the film’s violence depiction and ultimately its rating. This PG-13 rating might also help the film reach a wider audience and enjoy a stronger box office performance.
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### Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of the franchise or just curious about what the new Predator films bring to the table, *Predator: Badlands* is definitely worth checking out this weekend. With its fresh approach, compelling characters, and strong creative vision from Dan Trachtenberg, it has earned its place as the third-highest rated Predator movie to date.
Don’t miss it!
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/badlands-review-scores-compare-to-every-predator-movie/
