Predator: Badlands Second Trailer – A Thrilling New Hunt Begins
The second trailer for Predator: Badlands dropped on July 21, 2025, and it’s packed with action, humor, and a bold new direction for the iconic sci-fi franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), this upcoming film, set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025, promises a fresh take by making a Predator the hero. Here’s our breakdown of the trailer’s story and why it’s got fans buzzing.
A Predator’s Quest on a Deadly Alien World
Set in the future on the unforgiving planet Kalisk, Predator: Badlands follows Dek, a young Yautja (Predator) outcast, played by stuntman Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Exiled from his clan, Dek is on a mission to prove his worth by hunting the ultimate prey. He’s joined by Thia, a chatty Weyland-Yutani android (Elle Fanning), who’s missing the lower half of her body, forcing Dek to carry her torso like a quirky backpack.
The trailer shows Thia narrating Dek’s dangerous first hunt, where he faces monstrous winged beasts, sentient vines, and armed soldiers—possibly from a Weyland-Yutani outpost. “Here, you’re not the predator. You’re the prey,” Thia warns, but Dek snaps back in the Yautja language, “I am prey to none!” The stakes escalate with glimpses of a giant mech suit, echoing the powerloader from Aliens, battling a massive kaiju-like creature. The trailer also teases a parallel story involving Thia’s twin sister, Tessa (also Fanning), hinting at a fractured sibling bond. Subtle Alien universe connections, like Weyland-Yutani’s logo and a crashed truck, fuel speculation of a crossover, making Dek’s brutal quest for redemption even more epic.
Action, Humor, and a Bold New Predator
The second Predator: Badlands trailer is a game-changer, building on the groundwork laid by Prey (2022) and delivering a preview that’s equal parts thrilling and unexpected. Trachtenberg swaps the franchise’s usual Earth-bound hunts for the alien planet Kalisk, a visual stunner with volcanic wastelands and deadly jungles brought to life by Industrial Light & Magic and Wētā FX. The action is relentless—Dek slicing through tentacled monsters and clashing with colossal beasts feels like Shadow of the Colossus meets Mad Max.
What sets this trailer apart is its humor and heart. The unlikely duo of Dek and Thia steals the show, with Elle Fanning’s witty android playing off Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s stoic Yautja. The image of Dek hauling Thia’s torso around is both hilarious and endearing, setting up a buddy-comedy dynamic that’s new for the series. The Yautja language, complete with subtitles, adds depth to Dek, making him a compelling hero rather than a faceless hunter.
Nods to the Alien universe, like the Weyland-Yutani branding and a mech suit reminiscent of Aliens, have fans buzzing about a possible Alien vs. Predator revival. However, the trailer keeps the focus on Dek’s story, balancing spectacle with emotional stakes. The hint of Thia’s twin sister, Tessa, adds intrigue, though it risks overcomplicating the plot if not handled carefully. Some fans might find the upbeat tone, driven by Fanning’s lively narration and a pulsing score, a departure from the franchise’s darker roots, but it’s a refreshing shift.
Why You Should Be Excited
Predator: Badlands looks like a bold evolution of the franchise, blending heart-pounding action, stunning visuals, and a surprisingly fun dynamic between its leads. Trachtenberg’s vision, paired with top-tier VFX and a stellar performance from Fanning, makes this a must-watch. Mark your calendars for November 7, 2025—this hunt is going to be wild!
