What is the plot?

Predator: Badlands (2025) opens on the harsh, unforgiving alien world of Kalisk, the home planet of the Yautja species, commonly known as Predators. The story centers on Dek, a young Predator who is an outcast and considered the runt of his clan. His peers and especially his father regard him with disdain due to his perceived weakness and failure to meet the clan's brutal standards. Dek's exile from the clan sets him on a solitary and perilous journey across the hostile badlands of Kalisk, where survival demands cunning, strength, and relentless determination.

As Dek navigates the treacherous terrain, he encounters Thia, a synthetic human created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a shadowy entity known from the Alien franchise. Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning, is not a typical human but an advanced synthetic designed for unknown corporate purposes. She appears in multiple forms, including several Weyland-Yutani synthetics, suggesting a complex role in the unfolding events. Thia becomes an unlikely ally to Dek, and together they face the brutal environment and the deadly creatures that inhabit it.

Dek's initial goal is to prove himself worthy to his clan by finding and defeating the ultimate adversary, a legendary prey that would earn him honor and acceptance. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the ultimate challenge is far more dangerous and complex than a mere hunt. The badlands are rife with savage beasts, deadly plant life, and hostile forces, including rogue Predators who have turned against their own kind. These rogues are brutal and merciless, hunting Dek with lethal intent. In one intense confrontation, Dek is grievously wounded when a jawless rogue impales him with a jagged spear, but his sheer willpower and rage drive him to fight on.

Throughout their journey, Thia reveals critical information about the true nature of the threat stalking the badlands. Before the human expedition's arrival, a horrific hybrid creature was unleashed--an abomination created from Predator DNA combined with unknown alien organisms. This monstrous entity now roams freely, killing indiscriminately, preying on humans, Predators, and beasts alike. The hybrid represents the unintended consequences of human greed and scientific hubris, turning the ultimate prey into a terrifying force of destruction.

Dek and Thia use their combined skills and knowledge to survive the onslaught. Thia sets traps using scavenged materials from wreckage, including explosives, trip wires, and electromagnetic pulse snares, to counter the rogue Predators and the hybrid menace. In a climactic battle within a canyon, the terrain erupts in explosions, sending rocks and debris crashing down to bury two of the rogue Predators alive. Dek, though severely wounded and with cracked armor, manages to endure the fight, his blood staining the sand as a testament to his resilience.

The narrative also explores Dek's internal struggle and growth. Initially driven by a desire to prove himself to his unsupportive father and clan, Dek's journey evolves into a quest for survival and understanding of the complex forces at play on Kalisk. His relationship with Thia deepens, blending mutual reliance and respect as they confront the deadly challenges together.

The film's setting on Kalisk is richly detailed, drawing heavily on influences from classic Westerns, post-apocalyptic tales like Mad Max 2, and the mythic tone of Conan the Barbarian. The visual and thematic style reflects a blend of brutal survivalism and epic quest, with the Predators' culture and language--developed by the linguist who created the Na'vi language for Avatar--adding depth and authenticity to the alien society.

In the final sequences, Dek and Thia track the hybrid creature to the ruins of Wayan Utani, a site tied to the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's secret experiments. The confrontation with the hybrid is brutal and desperate, pushing Dek to the limits of his physical and mental endurance. The battle tests Dek's skills as a hunter and warrior, forcing him to adapt and overcome a foe unlike any he has faced before.

The film concludes with Dek emerging as a legend among his people, having survived exile, betrayal, and the ultimate hunt. His victory over the hybrid and the rogue Predators earns him a new status, though the cost is high. Thia's fate remains intertwined with the corporate machinations of Weyland-Yutani, hinting at future conflicts and the ongoing intersection of human and Predator destinies.

Predator: Badlands thus redefines the franchise by shifting the perspective to the Predator as the protagonist, exploring the species' culture, honor code, and survival instincts in a hostile world. The film's narrative weaves together intense action, complex character dynamics, and a richly imagined alien environment, culminating in a story of resilience, alliance, and the relentless pursuit of the ultimate adversary.

What is the ending?

The ending of Predator: Badlands (2025) shows Dek, the young outcast Predator, and Thia, the synthetic created by Weyland-Yutani, reaching the Yautja arena, setting the stage for a larger confrontation and possibly linking to future Predator and Alien franchise stories.

In detail, the final sequence unfolds as follows:

Dek, having been cast out by his Predator clan for being smaller and weaker, has journeyed across the harsh Badlands planet alongside Thia, a synthetic with mysterious origins tied to the Weyland-Yutani corporation. Their alliance, initially uneasy, grows as they face numerous dangers and enemies together.

As the climax approaches, Dek and Thia arrive at the Yautja arena--a brutal coliseum where Predators prove their worth through combat. This arena is a significant cultural and ritualistic site for the Yautja species, symbolizing honor and survival.

The scene is tense and visually striking: Dek, despite his outcast status, stands ready to fight in the arena, while Thia's synthetic nature hints at deeper corporate machinations behind the scenes. The film closes with them entering the arena, surrounded by other Predators and spectators, implying that Dek's fate will be decided in this deadly contest.

Thia's fate remains ambiguous but suggests she will continue to play a pivotal role, possibly as a bridge between human technology and Predator culture. Dek's future is uncertain but poised for a trial by combat that could redefine his place among the Yautja.

This ending emphasizes themes of exile, survival, and the search for identity within rigid societal structures. It also hints at expanding the Predator universe by integrating synthetic beings and corporate interests, setting up potential sequels or crossovers with the Alien franchise.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The movie Predator: Badlands (2025) does have a post-credits scene, which is part of a broader narrative revealed in the related 2025 animated film Predator: Killer of Killers. This post-credits scene shows that several humans who have killed Predators across different times have been captured and frozen in stasis by the Predators. Among these frozen warriors is Naru, the Comanche protagonist from Prey (2022), depicted in animated form. Additionally, in an extended mid-credits scene released later, iconic characters Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) from Predator (1987) and Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) from Predator 2 (1990) also appear frozen alongside Naru, indicating they too have been captured by the Predators.

This scene implies a shared fate for these legendary human warriors and sets up potential future storylines where they could return to fight the Predators again, possibly including Predator: Badlands. The exact timing of Badlands is unspecified but is suggested to be in the future relative to these events. The post-credits scene visually presents multiple blocks containing these humans, emphasizing the scale of the Predators' collection of formidable prey.

In summary, the post-credits scene reveals a key franchise development: multiple famed Predator-killers from different eras are held captive, frozen in time, including Naru, Dutch, and Harrigan, hinting at their possible return in future installments such as Predator: Badlands.

What is the nature of the relationship between the two sisters, Thia and Tessa, in Predator: Badlands?

The film features two storylines focusing on the bond between two sisters, Thia and Tessa, whose relationship is tested as they pursue different paths and missions. Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic who has spent most of her life in a laboratory, embarks on her first big adventure, while Tessa has a militant intensity in completing her objectives, creating a dynamic of familial tension and conflict between them.

Who is Dek and what challenges does he face in Predator: Badlands?

Dek is a young Predator, described as a 'runt' and an outcast from his clan for failing them. He is on a quest to find the ultimate adversary on a hostile alien planet called Kalisk. Dek must survive against savage beasts, deadly plant life, and human and non-Predator masked hunters tracking him, all while trying to prove himself to his unsupportive father and clan.

How does Predator: Badlands shift the narrative perspective compared to previous Predator films?

Predator: Badlands uniquely centers the story from the Predator's point of view, specifically through Dek, the young Yautja. This shift makes the Predator the protagonist rather than the hunter antagonist, offering a deeper look into the creature's instincts, motivations, and code of honor, aiming to create an emotional connection with the audience while maintaining the Predator's fearsome nature.

What role does Thia play in the story and what is her origin?

Thia is a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, portrayed by Elle Fanning, who becomes an unlikely ally to Dek. She is revealed to be a synthetic created by the Weyland-Yutani corporation, and her character is central to the story as she aids Dek in his survival and quest on the hostile planet. Thia also has a rumored twin sister, Tessa, adding complexity to her role.

What is the significance of the 'ultimate adversary' in the plot of Predator: Badlands?

The 'ultimate adversary' is a massive Kaiju-sized alien creature on the planet Kalisk that Dek seeks to find and neutralize. This adversary represents the ultimate challenge for Dek, driving his quest and survival mission. Thia warns that this creature is unbeatable, heightening the stakes and danger in the story.

Is this family friendly?

The movie "Predator: Badlands" (2025) is not family friendly. It contains intense sci-fi action and violence typical of the Predator franchise, which may be upsetting for children or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

  • Graphic violence and combat scenes involving alien creatures and humans, including use of futuristic weapons and physical fights.
  • Intense suspense and horror elements, with scenes of hunting and survival against dangerous predators.
  • Some disturbing imagery such as alien creatures, exploding plants, and characters in peril.
  • Themes of outcasting, proving oneself through violence, and dark, mysterious alien environments.

These elements make it more suitable for mature audiences rather than children or those sensitive to violence and sci-fi horror. The film is rated for general theatrical release but aligns with the franchise's tradition of intense action and thriller content.

Are there any pool scenes in the movie? Or closeups of cabanas or beach balls?

There are no indications of any pool scenes, cabanas, or beach balls in the movie Predator: Badlands (2025). The film is set on a hostile alien world with a landscape described as a mix of Arrakis and the Dead Sea, featuring desolate oceans, cliffs, and harsh natural environments rather than leisure or resort settings. The footage shown at San Diego Comic-Con and trailers focus on the Predator protagonist's training, alien landscapes, and sci-fi action elements, with no mention or visual hints of pools, cabanas, or beach balls.

The movie's tone and setting are far from typical beach or poolside scenes, emphasizing a brutal, alien wilderness and intense Predator lore rather than any recreational or domestic environments. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that Predator: Badlands does not include scenes involving pools, cabanas, or beach balls.

If the planet is that hostile, wouldnx27t everybody need to relax very often by going to a beach resort, or a disco nightclub?

In Predator: Badlands (2025), the story is set on a remote, hostile alien planet where the young Predator Dek embarks on a dangerous quest. The environment is extremely perilous, filled with savage beasts and deadly plant life, making survival the primary concern for all characters involved. There is no indication in the available information that the inhabitants or characters have access to or seek out leisure activities such as beach resorts or disco nightclubs to relax. The focus is on survival, hunting, and combat rather than recreation or relaxation.

The film's tone and setting emphasize a "world of hurt" and a brutal, unforgiving landscape rather than a place where people or Predators would have the luxury or safety to enjoy leisure activities. The narrative centers on the Predator's struggle as an outcast and the dangerous challenges he faces, which leaves little room for conventional relaxation or entertainment.

Therefore, given the hostile nature of the planet and the survival-driven plot, it would be inconsistent with the story's premise for characters to regularly relax at beach resorts or nightclubs. The environment and narrative focus on danger and conflict rather than leisure.

Are there are marriage scenes between predators, or scenes with parent predators pushing their children around in strollers?

In the 2025 movie Predator: Badlands, there are no marriage scenes between Predators, nor are there scenes showing parent Predators pushing their children around in strollers. The film focuses on a young Predator named Dek, an outcast from his clan, who embarks on a dangerous journey on a hostile alien planet called Kalisk. The story centers on Dek's struggle for survival, his quest to prove himself, and his alliance with Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic. The narrative emphasizes action, survival, and the Predator's perspective rather than domestic or familial Predator life scenes such as marriage or childcare.

The available plot details and trailers highlight intense hunting sequences, challenges with savage beasts, and deadly environments, but do not depict any Predator social or family rituals like marriage or child-rearing activities involving strollers. The film aims to present the Predator as a fierce hunter and protagonist rather than exploring their cultural or family life in such a domestic manner.