Warning: Spoilers ahead for Predator: BadlandsPredator: Badlands was Dan Trachtenberg’s second Predator movie of 2025 and third overall, and it proved pretty definitively that the American writer/director not only understands what makes the Predator such an entertaining character, but how much more unexplored ground there is within that universe. With Badlands knocking off box office milestones, it seems likely that Trachtenberg is nowhere near done with the franchise.
What’s most impressive about Trachtenberg’s streak of success is that so many other filmmakers have attempted to make great Predator movies, but none have come close to matching the inspired machismo of the original. Trachtenberg has not only matched it in action and fun, but unearthed new angles to the Predator as opposed to recycling the typical formula.
While the list of elements that Trachtenberg has gotten right in his three Predator movies is long, there is one particular trait that all three movies share that sets them apart from the typical sci-fi action fare. It’s an incredibly difficult part of both writing and directing, but somehow Trachtenberg just has not missed.
Dan Trachtenberg Always Nails The Ending For His Predator Movies
The original Predator was exhilarating for most of its runtime, but it peaked with its finale, which saw Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch Schafer go head-to-head with the Jungle Predator. It was an explosive ending that left audiences satisfied and looking for more, and Trachtenberg clearly learned the right lesson from the franchise’s cornerstone.
Each of Trachtenberg’s three Predator movies completely sticks the landing just as the original does. Trachtenberg has proven himself to be a master when it comes to crafting a satisfying conclusion that not only works well in the context of the story but is also jam-packed with awesome moments that act as an exclamation point for the story.
Prey was risky given how far away from the Predator formula Trachtenberg strayed, but the story proved to be an exciting, perfectly-paced thriller. The ending turned out to be the best part, with Naru using her environment and enemies to bait and trick the vicious Feral Predator into killing himself with his own weapon.
Predator: Killer of Killers pulled its own bait-and-switch, with an anthology setup that masked the movie’s final act, which revealed the three previous chapters taking place across time and space were in fact part of a cohesive narrative. The action-packed escape of the Predator-killers not only acted as a perfect capper to the preceding events, but also opened up a brand-new section of Predator lore.
Predator: Badlands Might Have Had Trachtenberg’s Strongest Ending Yet
As good as the endings for Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers were, Predator: Badlands may have outdone them both. Like its predecessors, Badlands kept a twist in its back pocket. With one of the most inventive action sequences of the last few years (featuring breathtaking leg-only fight choreography), Badlands managed to execute a beautiful piece of character development with Dek building his own clan.
That led to what I believe is the most satisfying finale in the franchise by far. Dek returns to his home planet to confront his cruel and vicious father, who appears to be a distinguished hunter and clan leader, and uses the weaponry and skills that he gained on Genna, the death planet, to kill his father and take his shoulder cannon as a symbol of his status, with his newfound “clan” at his back.
It’s a wildly satisfying ending that not only rounds off Dek and Thia’s story in Predator: Badlands, but leaves the audience excited to see what’s next for Dek now that he’s proven himself to be a lethal Predator, but who has no interest in aligning his views with the brutal culture of the Yautja. Dan Trachtenberg managed to not only make a perfect ending, but he once again left the door open for much more exploration of the cinematic universe.
- Release Date
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November 5, 2025
- Runtime
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107 minutes
- Director
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Dan Trachtenberg
- Writers
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Dan Trachtenberg, Patrick Aison, John Thomas, Jim Thomas
- Producers
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Brent O’Connor, John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Dan Trachtenberg, Ben Rosenblatt
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Elle Fanning
Thia / Tessa
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Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi
Dek / Father
