Predator: Badlands Puts Elle Fanning and a Young Predator in the Spotlight

 

Info in Movie News | Predator: Badlands is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing sci-fi movies of 2025. Directed by Prey (2022), moviemaker Dan Trachtenberg, the movie turns the classic Predator formula on its head by focusing not on human survivors, but on the Predator itself. This bold narrative shift marks a new direction for the franchise, and with Elle Fanning in a key dual role, Badlands may just be the freshest entry since the series began.

According to Collider, Badlands centers around a young Predator named Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who embarks on a dangerous rite of passage to prove himself worthy to his tribe. But he’s not alone. His unlikely companion is Thia, a synth created by the infamous Weyland-Yutani Corporation, played by Elle Fanning. Thia is a talkative, curious AI programmed for companionship and utility, providing a stark contrast to Dek’s stoic, silent demeanor. The result is a kind of sci-fi buddy drama wrapped in cosmic violence and ritualistic tension.

Trachtenberg revealed that Fanning plays not one but two characters in the movie, though he remains tight-lipped about the nature of the second role. However, he did confirm to Empire Magazine that “there are no humans in this movie,” suggesting her second character may be alien, or something else entirely.

This “no humans allowed” approach was part of the director’s early vision for Badlands. “I thought it might be fun to have a Predator with a robot,” he said. “Then I thought, I know a company that makes robots…” That idea led him to bring in the Weyland-Yutani element, instantly sparking theories of a possible crossover with the Alien franchise. The teaser trailer actually showcases the famous Weyland-Yutani logo going through Thia’s synthetic eye, which is a subtle yet unmistakable reference that connects both movie universes.

To further the movie’s setting, a new Predator language was created, both written and spoken, by the same linguist who made the Na’vi language for Avatar. Studio Gillis also built a real, wearable suit for Dek, and used motion capture technology to improve his facial expressions and give him more emotional depth. This is a very unusual combination of traditional creature effects and contemporary technology, which is consistent with Trachtenberg’s idea of the alien world being presented in very tangible, sensory details.

Talking about the excitement and emotional impact, the relationship between Dek and Thia is the core of the movie. “One talkative, one laconic,” Trachtenberg explained. “As exciting and violent as this movie is, the character stuff really pops.”

Badlands marks the third Predator project for Trachtenberg following Prey and the animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers, which debuted in June to critical acclaim, scoring 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. That movie followed legendary warriors from across time battling Predators in epic duels.

Now with Badlands, the hunt begins again, but this time, it’s personal. The movie will hit theaters on November 7, 2025, and fans of both Predator and Alien franchises should be paying very close attention.

source