Lawrence Gordon Productions, Davis Entertainment and Toberoff Entertainment’s Predator Badlands (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a science fiction action film. It is the story of Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a runt predator’s mission to hunt an unkillable apex predator, Kalisk, on the lethal planet Genna, in order to earn the approval of his father. Dek reluctantly teams up with Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged synthetic. The two are later joined by a native creature, Bud.
Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison’s story is interesting in parts only. Patrick Aison’s screenplay moves on a single track and, therefore, has limitations. It doesn’t keep the audience engaged all through the drama.
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi is good as Dek. He also plays Dek’s father, Njohrr. Elle Fanning delivers a mature performance as Thia. She also doubles up as Tessa, another synthetic who opposes Dek and Thia. Mike Homik plays Dek’s older brother, Kwei, effectively. Others lend fine support.
Dan Trachtenberg’s direction is so-so. He has not been able to make a film which arrests the audience’s attention and keeps them entertained all through. Background music (by Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch) is alright. Jeff Cutter’s cinematography is good. Ra Vincent’s production designing is okay. Stefan Grube and David Trachtenberg’s editing ought to have been sharper. Dubbing is okay.
On the whole, Predator Badlands is a dull fare.
Released on 7-11-’25 at Metro Inox (3D; in daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru JioStar India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak at most of the places.