Predator: Badlands, everything you need to know about the film: a new setting for an unprecedented adventure

The most iconic alien hunter on the big screen is ready to return with a new adventure destined to leave its mark. Predator: Badlands, the seventh chapter in the main saga, is an ambitious project that aims to reinvent the rules of the film series, taking the story far from Earth, to an entirely new setting. Dan Trachtenberg, already acclaimed for Prey, is directing, while the screenplay is entrusted to Patrick Aison. A duo that has already proven its ability to reinterpret the Predator myth with freshness and tension. Here's everything you need to know about Predator: Badlands.

• The Plot
• Where is it set?
• The Cast
• The Release Date
• The Director
• The Film in the Official Timeline
• Connections to Alien
• The Trailer
• The Poster

The Plot of Predator: Badlands

Set in a distant future, the film follows the events of Dek, a young Predator ostracized from his clan due to his physical fragility. In a ruthless universe, his path crosses that of Thia, a fascinating synthetic created by the Weyland-Yutani company. United by a common destiny, the two embark on a perilous journey in search of a lethal enemy, facing challenges that will test not only their strength, but also their ability to trust each other.

Where is Predator: Badlands set?

Unlike previous chapters, almost all set on Earth, Badlands shifts the action to a remote planet, the beating heart of Predator culture. Here, their ferocity in battle, their code of honor, and the complex social structure that governs the species' life are shown. A radical change of perspective that reverses traditional roles, transforming the alien from an implacable enemy into the true protagonist of the story.

The Cast of Predator: Badlands

In the film, we find Elle Fanning as Thia, a synthetic created by Weyland-Yutani. The actress plays several models of the same android line, thus offering a multifaceted and complex performance. Alongside her is Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who brings Dek to life, the young Predator ostracized from the clan. The role requires not only acting intensity but also great physical commitment thanks to the use of motion capture and stunts.

The production combines practical effects and top-level CGI, relying on excellent teams such as Wt Workshop and Industrial Light & Magic, guaranteeing creatures and scenarios capable of immersing the viewer in a visually spectacular universe.

Predator: Badlands, the Italian release date

The arrival in Italian cinemas is set for November 6, 2025.

The Director of Predator: Badlands

Directing is Dan Trachtenberg, a filmmaker who has already shown his ability to reinterpret major franchises with an original perspective. After directing the episode "Playtest" of the third season of Black Mirror, he won over critics and audiences with 10 Cloverfield Lane and, above all, with Prey, the prequel that breathed new life into the Predator saga. With Badlands, Trachtenberg is preparing to push even further, expanding the narrative universe of the series.

Predator: Badlands in the official timeline

The Predator saga has always experimented with different eras and scenarios: from the distant past of Prey, to the contemporary era, up to futuristic contexts. Badlands fits into the timeline as an independent chapter, set in a distant future and, for the first time, directly on the Predator home planet.

This choice opens new narrative perspectives: it is no longer just about hunting human prey, but about exploring the culture, rituals, and internal divisions of the species. Precisely for this reason, the film is considered a turning point in the official chronology, also capable of strengthening the link with the Alien universe thanks to the presence of the Weyland-Yutani company.

Predator: Badlands and Alien, the connections

One of the most interesting aspects of Predator: Badlands is its direct connection to the Alien universe. The presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the historic multinational first introduced in the 1979 film, serves as a narrative bridge between the two sagas. Thia, the android played by Elle Fanning, is a creation of the company.

This choice highlights the desire to expand the shared mythology, offering the audience an experience that enriches both franchises. While remaining an autonomous story, Badlands lays solid foundations for future crossovers and for greater integration of Predator's lore with that of Alien.

The Predator: Badlands trailer

Premiered at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, the first official trailer has ignited fan expectations. The images show an explosive mix of adrenaline-pumping action, post-apocalyptic western atmospheres, and a marked dramatic component, suggesting a chapter capable of combining spectacle and narrative depth.

The Predator: Badlands poster