*Predator: Badlands* innovates by showcasing a Predator as its main character. This Predator is Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a Yautja warrior deemed small by his people’s standards, yet still poses a threat to humans. To earn his clan’s respect, Dek must hunt on one of the universe’s deadliest planets, though he will not be alone.

Accompanying him is Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic being developed by the *Alien* franchise’s Weyland-Yutani Corporation. This signals yet another *Alien*-*Predator* crossover. In contrast to earlier encounters where Xenomorphs and Yautja clashed, *Predator: Badlands* teams Dek and Thia as unforeseen partners. Thia is a lively construct capable of surviving being severed in half, while Dek is an extraterrestrial in search of his father’s validation. This unique pair suggests a captivating relationship.

The trailer for *Predator: Badlands* highlights their collaboration, featuring a comedic moment of Dek transporting Thia’s torso akin to a backpack. Anticipation escalates with glimpses of a gigantic mech confronting Dek’s formidable target and scenes of Dek conversing in the Yautja tongue with subtitles.

The most exhilarating element of *Predator: Badlands* is its direction by Dan Trachtenberg, renowned for the highly praised 2022 *Prey*, an almost flawless *Predator* prequel. Trachtenberg is also involved with the forthcoming 2025 animated anthology film *Predator: Killer of Killers*. With such a commendable history, *Predator: Badlands* is poised to captivate audiences.

*Predator: Badlands* premieres in theaters on Nov. 7.