23-06-2025
New Predator Film Delivers Everything Fans Wanted
One of the highest-rated films right now isn't even in theaters. The animated Hulu movie Predator: Killer of Killers is not only one of the best films in the franchise, but it also serves as a launching pad for hope in this otherwise stale franchise.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
It all started in 1988 with the original Predator — a cheesy action flick that turns into a full-blown survival horror situation. I'm this film's biggest hype-man, and people often write it off as another Arnold Swarzanagger movie, but it is an EXTREMELY well-crafted movie.
We can skip over some failed attempts (although I still love AVP). Director Dan Trachtenberg released the film Prey in 2022. Although Prey is far from flawless, there should be no argument that it was the best-made Predator movie since the original.
With a killer performance by Amber Midthunder as Naru, Prey returned to its roots, relying on the horror elements of the Yautja (Predator aliens). It all...a monster movie. The "Predator" name in the title should always have the double-meaning for the main character, who becomes the hunter by Act III.
And here is why I think Predator: Killer of Killers is a masterpiece.
Enter Predator: Killer of Killers. Trachtenberg returned to the franchise, and he is so skilled at creating compelling characters while still building lore for the Yautja. The movie is separated into three stories that all converge into one grand finale.
From the animation to the Predator designs, Killer of Killers would make the character's creator, the late great (legend) Stan Winston proud. The film oozes with new lore, styles, and elevates the hunters to levels we have never seen in live-action.
Broken into three short stories, the Vikings portion titled "The Shield" drops us into the story perfectly. A vengeful mother takes a boy on a mission to kill the man who made her take her father's life. There's our cheesy stakes, now throw a Predator stalking them into the mix.
The movements of the characters take a moment to adjust to, but, man, is this whole sequence beautiful. From shot selections to action, it really packs a punch. It was so smart to lead with this one because it severely relies on the full arc of the vengeful mother, Ursa, and her revenge-driven mind costs her the life of her son.
The fight sequence with the Yautja, who has a really cool weapon unlike anything we've seen in the cinematic Predator universe, really is as artistic as it is gory. The mother succeeds in killing the Yautja, but we see her as a prisoner aboard an alien craft, which segues into our next story.
Samurai, a ninja, and a predator walk into a bar. That's basically the idea for the next story, "The Sword," which is the best overall story in the film. An exiled man looks for revenge against his own brother. There's no meaningful dialogue in this one, but it SLAPS with its wordless storytelling.
The Predator style, like all the others in this movie, really fits human culture. Its attack methods feel very fair to its prey, which I feel like gets lost in other Predator movies. It's all about sport, and this Yautja is as stealthy as it is deadly.
The two brothers-turned-enemies work together in the end to kill the Yautja, and it's glorious. The payoff is excellent, and, again, the wordless storytelling is so well-paced and emotional that it deserves a chef's kiss to everyone involved who cooked it up.
Seriously, look how pretty this shot is:
Then there was the closest thing to a modern-day story, titled "The Bullet." The Bullet is actually the name of a fighter plane, and this segment might've been the most creative of the bunch. In the 1940s, Torres, a young mechanic with his head always in the clouds, takes on an aerial Yautja spacecraft.
The Yautja in this story never leaves its ship, and the aerial fights are unlike anything done in the franchise. The segment has a lot of humor, gore, and most importantly, a compelling story that feels like every shot is essential.
The death via "burning engine dismemberment" was the wildest kill in a movie rich with them. It was also cool to see the "squeezing net" return from AVP. Aside from the part when Torres goes out on the wing, which was super silly but needed for planting and payoff, this segment felt huge in scale and delivered memorable Predator moments. Especially, that moment when the prey becomes the predator.
I loved so much about this movie, but I thought the ending dragged. We see all three warriors come together in the end for a weird gladiator-esque finale. They take on the leading predator, who has some sick trophies on their armor, but the whole teamwork element felt very unnecessary and detached from the movie's overall themes.
That said, the sacrifice made by Ursa was by far the best moment. The full circle of her saving the two "boys" instead of being hellbent on revenge, as she was when she lost her son, was excellent character development.
Our big surprise at the end? We see the Yaujta are storing lifeforms who have successfully killed Predators. We get a quick glimpse at Amber Midthunder's character, Naru, frozen in a pod, hinting she may reappear in a future film.
I think Trachtenberg is the creative mind for the job to carry this franchise, but, MAN, do I have a bad feeling about Predator: Badlands. To remove the monster element of the Predator franchise and make a Predator the lead, rather than a human warrior, might really dilute the Yautja characters. I want more action horror monster movies, not a sci-fi action flick with "monster fights other monsters."
All nerves aside, Predator: Killer of Killers was a brilliant addition to the franchise. With Trachtenberg at the helm, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. It feels like we won't be activating that self-destruct button any time soon on the Predator franchise.
What were your thoughts on Predator: Killer of Killers? Are you excited about the direction of the Predator franchise? Comment below!
Stream Predator: Killer of Killers on Hulu.
