Spoiler Alert !!!
Mild spoilers for Predator: Badlands ahead!
Predator: Badlands is the latest addition to the Yautja saga, and its stars didn’t just act their way through the movie; they went through bruises, aches, and sweat that came with it. The film is set on a different planet named Genna, so some might not realize just how practical the action was behind the camera, and here’s what Elle Fanning revealed about the same (via Screenrant):
Everything was done for real on wires. We were going up mountains in New Zealand through rivers. He also had a wheelbarrow, like this seat that I would sit on like a chariot. And it would be on his hips, and then he would have to lug me. We were very supportive. He was like, ‘Hey, are you good back there? Are you okay?’ But he really had my back.
So, Fanning and breakout star Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi went all-in to make the film’s wildest moments look and feel real. From trekking across rivers and doing demanding wire work, they both had grit, trust, and some serious teamwork.
Their efforts paid off because the stunts in Predator: Badlands look quite authentic. Now, let’s look at some of the best action sequences in the movie, followed by what the actors said about their characters’ connection.
An Overview of Predator: Badlands’ Most Intriguing Action Moments
In Predator: Badlands, Dek the Yautja is our protagonist who teams up with Elle Fanning’s Thia, though she is missing the lower part of her body. Thia is strapped to Dek’s back in the first half of the movie, and the scene in trailers where he’s swinging through the branches looks phenomenal on the big screen!
Here’s an overview of Predator: Badlands:
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| Director | Dan Trachtenberg |
| Main Cast | Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Mike Homik, Rohinal Narayan, Reuben De Jong, Cameron Brown |
| Release Date | November 7, 2025 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.6/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes (critic score | audience score) |
85% | 96% |
| Runtime | 1h 47m |
Their mismatched partnership is what carries the film and gives us funny and surprisingly tender moments. Fanning’s Thia fighting another synth at the end, and Dek ripping out a creature’s spine, make for some of the most hilarious and thrilling moments in Predator: Badlands.
Without revealing too much, the best part comes when Dek learns to cooperate with Genna’s wild flora and fauna and uses them to his advantage. Plus, the finale is beautiful too because it doesn’t rely on chaos and keeps its focus on the characters.
Predator: Badlands’ Stars Describe Their Amazing Character Dynamics
The bond between Dek and Thia is one of the film’s highlights. Their relationship starts as a reluctant alliance, and they slowly form an unshakable friendship. Elle Fanning also spoke about how the two were opposites in Predator: Badlands, but it was still wholesome (via Screenrant)!
Gosh, it is kind of a classic, like the straight man, then the comedic chatterbox, and eventually she wears him down, and they become buds. But I love their dynamic. I think it’s so unusual, especially for a Predator film, to say that you might let out a bit of a laugh in a Predator movie. It’s very, very unexpected. But there’s so much heart, especially in their relationship.
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi also agreed that Dek’s competence and inexperience played a big part in their chemistry. The film’s humor also hits the perfect notes and is not too cheesy or forceful. So, what was your favorite part about Predator: Badlands? The action, the chemistry, or both?
Predator: Badlands is currently in theaters (USA).
