05/11/2025
**⚠️ Spoilers Ahead for *Predators: Bad Lands***
A tale as old as time — an adolescent striving for his father’s approval and a place to belong.
Predators: Bad Lands opens with an intense sparring match between Dek and his brother Kwei — a brutal yet bonding moment that perfectly sets up their fractured dynamic. We soon learn that Dek once saved his brother as a child, but instead of earning respect, he’s condemned by their father, the clan’s fearsome leader, as the runt and the weakness that must be eliminated to preserve the clan’s strength.
In a gut-wrenching twist, Dek’s brother sacrifices himself to their father, giving Dek the chance to escape and prove his worth. From here, the story evolves into a mix of vengeance, survival, and redemption, pitting personal loyalty against the unforgiving traditions of the Predator race.
Along his journey, Dek crosses paths with Thea (Elle Fanning) witty, courageous, and surprisingly endearing. Their connection brings levity and humanity to the story. He also befriends Bud, a baby Kalisk who latches onto him like a loyal pet. The little creature’s antics are pure Baby Grogu energy cute, mischievous, and unexpectedly vital to Dek’s emotional growth.
Then comes the jaw-dropping set piece: a full-blown Avatar-style synth vs. Predator showdown. Towering mechs, and roaring beast chaos fill the screen in a wild, high-octane clash that’s as ridiculous as it is thrilling.
Despite all the carnage, Bad Lands retains its heart. It’s an oddly tender, PG-13 take on the *Predator* mythos — more about family, identity, and belonging than pure survival horror. The **CGI can be rough and blurry in spots**, but the emotional core carries through, especially in the final act where Dek returns to **rescue his adopted clan**. That sequence hints at a deeper, more grounded story the film never fully explores — one I wish they’d leaned into more.
Would I rewatch? **Sure.** It’s flawed but heartfelt, and surprisingly fun.
