The Big Picture

‘Predator: Badlands’ and the 'Predator' Movie Rankings

33 snips
Nov 10, 2025
Chris Ryan, a film critic and frequent guest, joins to explore 'Predator: Badlands,' the latest in the franchise. They discuss the film's unique perspective, centering on a sympathetic Yautja protagonist, and how Elle Fanning's performance humanizes the narrative. The pair delve into Dan Trachtenberg's filmmaking style, highlighting his innovative action set pieces and the film's successful box office launch. They also rank the 'Predator' films, affirming the original's status while navigating through the series' highs and lows.
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ANECDOTE

BFI IMAX Screening Recommendation

  • Chris Ryan saw Badlands at the BFI IMAX on London’s South Bank and loved the venue's programming.
  • He recommends visiting the BFI complex for film lovers and its private screening library.
INSIGHT

Predator From The Predator's Eyes

  • Dan Trachtenberg reframes the Predator series by shifting perspective and tone across films.
  • Badlands is the first to center a Predator as a sympathetic protagonist, altering franchise expectations.
INSIGHT

Action Over Lore Wins Audiences

  • Trachtenberg's films favor scaled, thrilling set pieces over deep franchise lore.
  • That low-lore approach makes Badlands accessible and fun for mainstream audiences.
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