M F ALFREY

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Which Predator films are worth watching, who they’re for, and how the hunt has changed

I was a massive Predator fan as a kid. I saw the first movie on VHS back around ’93 and was drawn to it by Arnold Schwarzenegger. He had become my favourite actor after the two Terminator films and Conan the Barbarian. The star of Predator for me though, will always the creature itself. Simply known as the Predator. Only later would I learn the species was called Yautja, through reading the Darkhorse comics and the subsequent novelisations. Eventually, around the age of nineteen, I committed to a city hunter tattoo and a little later, the xenomorph hieroglyph from AVP.  These days, I’m still a fan and will watch or read anything with a predator in it, but the difference is I’m a lot more open to change now.

I am now one of those fans who is happy to see something different, and sometimes radically so about the franchise I enjoy. Each iteration is a person’s version of that universe, and it is fun seeing stuff I’d never have dreamed of. I don’t take it as a personal afront if the movie doesn’t meet my expectations. I am just less likely to rewatch is all. I’m also of the mind that if you didn’t like a movie then it just wasn’t made with you in mind. We live in the time of reboots and reimagining and expansions. Money is a factor too. After all, money needs to be made and some folk may find it difficult to accept what actually sells (and therefore is in demand). Writers, for instance, know this pain all too well. What may be a very well-turned-out story, technically and in terms of originality, may not actually catch a publisher’s attention simply for the fact that there is no demand for that story.

Why am I going on about all this? Well, a couple of my fave franchises (Aliens and Predator) have seen recent activity and there seems to be so much hate out there for what has been produced. Maybe I shouldn’t read the comment sections (never read the comment sections!). But, you know, it’s kinda like a car crash and they are, after all, valid opinions. Most of the time I think some people are just way too hard on writers and directors (who they have never met) for not writing or filming something exactly to their own personal specifications.

And how could they? Mindreading, as far as I know, is not a commonplace skill. And nor is anyone placed on this planet to write exactly what a fan demands. We need to remember that the writer is a human being who is generally writing for themselves. I write what I enjoy and so do many other authors. The idea being that if you are truly into what you’re creating, then others will be. Sure, your work won’t chime with everyone, not even your fans. They’ll like one book over another, prefer this film, but not that one. And that’s fine.

When I’m reviewing a book or film, I often remind myself that a bunch of humans made it. At some point, a bunch of people were really into what they were doing and created something they were likely proud. So, if I don’t like it, it’s just that – I didn’t like it. It wasn’t for me. If I want to watch a Yautja hunting humans, I watch Predator and Predators because I loved those movies. I may give Predator 2 a rewatch, as it has grown on me. But the others up until Prey were hit and miss. I remember at one time in the ‘90s I prayed for a new movie, but it looked like it wasn’t coming. And in those prayers, I hoped it wouldn’t be like Predator 2, because I was disappointed that it wasn’t set in the jungle. I wanted more of the first one.

In 2004 AVP hits the screens, and I was so happy to see Yautja on the screen again I looked past the story. It was okay, just not jungle. Still, it was cool to see young un-blooded hunters going through their paces just like in the comics I read as a kid, which is where the Yautja culture was mostly expanded for me. I remember enjoying Predator: Cold War, despite it being not-jungle, because the premise was awesome: stuck in a cold climate and pissed off. Something I can relate to as a Brit. AVP: Requiem, was better as it was darker in terms of the xenos and the Yautja in the movie. It was pretty grim too (if you’ve seen the movie, you likely know the scene I’m referring to in the hospital). But I still wanted my jungle movie dammit! My calls were answered in 2010 upon the release of Predators starring Alice Braga and Adrian Brodey and a slew of great names in Hollywood.

But was it a good movie? It wasn’t a jungle, but close enough. It mirrored the original in terms of protagonists and soundtrack. Though, the thing it did well in my mind was it added to the Predator universe. Predator 2 did this a little with the inclusion of a xenomorph skull in the trophy room and the flintlock pistol inscribed “Raphael Adolini 1715” which subsequently pops up in Predator lore, thereafter, showing us Yautja had been at it a good long while. Predators added another race of Yautja to the mixed and other space-faring species too, not to mention a cheeky homage to the original predator suit design that Van Damme briefly wore in the form of a chittering alien creature which chases down Topher Grace’s character. Sure, we got a little back history on the Yautja in AVP but nothing we as fans hadn’t already guessed at.

Then there’s The Predator. This one didn’t bowl me over. I can’t say why, specifically, it just didn’t hang together well for me and by this point, I had been praying for a different movie. After reading Alien vs Predator and Alien vs Predator: War graphic novels (and their novelisations by Steve Perry) I was crying out for a Yautja-led movie. The novels were particularly able to go deeper in terms of lore building. It was a shorter wait this time for that prayer to be answered in the form of something I hadn’t expected: Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey.

The title was the very same as the novelisation of the AVP graphic novel, which hinted that someone who knew the lore was involved. This excited me. What got me concerned was that it was yet another hunting movie, which we’d seen plenty by now. Like, yeah, we get it … they hunt. But what else do they do? I’d read Predator: Deadliest of the Species, which was a female-centric comic, where we meet a female predator “Big Mama” who teams up with the female protag, Caryn Delacroix, to defeat a horde of xenomorphs. I remember the graphic novel going into the relationship between the two females and enjoying that, so maybe I wanted to see a female predator too. I still do. But not the kind seen through the male gaze of waspish waste, ridiculous breasts, and questionably impractical armour. So, universe, hear my prayer as I cross my fingers and hope for the best. Anyway, I digress … I didn’t enjoy The Predator, specifically the armoured suit. I generally take issue with chunky suits and crazy massive ordinance that folds into a conveniently sized keyring or some nonsense like that. I don’t care how advanced the nanotech is, mass and energy are mass and energy.

So, what about Prey? I was actually nervous on the opening of the movie. I had my expectations, good and bad, but was pleasantly surprised. My prayers went unanswered though. Not Yautja-centric but, you know, the characters and story were well developed and it was great to see the feral predator and the low-tech setting. This imagining of the creature was great too. As shocking as that first reveal of the jungle hunter in Predator, and the reveal of the super predators in the third instalment. A nice surprise too, showing the differences in races within the Yautja species. Sci-fi is often guilty of monoculture – having a single race of a species on a planet, naming a species after its planet (or vice versa), having one language, etc. When compared to the many races, languages, and cultures on earth, it seems odd. At least in the Predator universe, we do have different races, and hunting cultures, and maybe languages to? We are yet to see, seeing as Badlands is the first to show us Yautja language on the screen.

I’m grateful to Dan Trachtenberg for the last three additions to the universe. Why? Well, he’s obviously a fan, it shows. He gave us the feral Yautja and a female protag in Prey, not to mention a historical setting. He then surprised us all by managing to keep Killers of Killers under wraps before release, and making that a stellar collection of comic-like additions and expanding the lore (He’s on safari … lions, tigers, bears, oh my!). And now, with Badlands, more culture including family life, and language. And all in a timely manner. Not to mention each one is vastly different to the other. And – I’m aiming this a the “fans” decrying “not my Predator!” – it’s okay that they are so different, because variety and pushing narrative boundaries within a well-established universe is what gives us surprises and keeps it all alive. Predator 2, Predators, the AVPs and The Predator safely stuck to what had gone before. There were no surprises and, like I said before, were a little hit and miss.

Killer of killers blew me away. The animation styles, the diversity in story and protagonists felt fresh. Again, not all three landed with me equally, especially the one with the planes, (no pun intended). For no other reason than it just didn’t. The Shield and The Sword, totally. Though, having said that, I did like the ending of The Bullet now that I think about it. So, sure scrap that – Killer of Killers was perfect.

And what of Badlands? I’d heard rumours, mutterings, and yes, whining, that it was … different. But I was of the mind that Dan Trachtenberg had two for two already, so if this didn’t work for me, I was happy for two solid contemporary instalments. Now, it’s important to know this fact about me: I’m a big fantasy adventure fan and TTRPG geek (Dungeons & Dragons etc). I wasn’t expecting this when I sat down with my wife at our local cinema but that’s what I got. Was it the Predator I was accustomed to? Not at all. Did I enjoy it, yes. Why? It was different of course! And I laughed. It was funny, charming, and satisfying and nothing I’d ever seen on screen or read in the books or comics. The Yautja, as I long suspected, are not just simply mindless brutes who graphicly slaughter everything in the universe on sight. They have culture, family, and heaven forbid – feelings. Is it my favourite movie in the franchise? It’s still a little too soon for me to say really and ranking them would feel forced. There are simply ones I’d rewatch more than others. And I’d rewatch this once again, for sure.

 So, if not ranking, how can we decide which ones are worth watching? Like I said before, it’s all about whether the movie was made for you or not. So that’s how I’m going to do it. Let’s go.

Predator (1987) R 18

If you’re into war movies (particularly Vietnam movies), testosterone and muscle-bound blokes toting ridiculous amounts of firepower, and gory horror and gadgets that maim, dismember, and obliterate, then you’ll enjoy Predator. As far as the movies go, I’d say it could be considered the best considering it was the first and inspired everything that followed.

Predator 2 (1990) R 18

Maybe you like a bit of urban action, police and gang-centric, guns, and street violence in your stories? And a little bit more of the same as the first movie plus camaraderie in the workplace, then the second instalment may be up your alley.

Aliens vs Predator (2004) PG-13 15

Prefer a faster pace, lighter plot, lots of interesting deaths but lighter on the visceral gore? Aimed at a younger audience in respect to the depth of content, particularly those who love easter eggs and nods to a franchise, this is a fun adventure that generally feels like lower stakes. A fairly good choice for younger viewers getting into the universe.

AVP: Requiem (2007) R 15

A reflection of its slightly higher rating, this one goes back to a grittier and grimmer universe in terms of deaths and viscera. If you’re into that kind of college kid movies (you know the ones), then this adds an AVP twist to that genre. Pitched at New Adult in terms of audience and themes of young love and growing pains, plus a stronger storyline than AVP. And if you want to see a Yautja-xeno hybrid, this is the one.

Predators (2010) R 15

Feeling nostalgic after Predator? This one’s a good fit for you. See this as a reboot for the 21st century audience. The cast alone is worth it with the likes of Adrian Brodey (King Kong), Walter Gogins (Fallout), Danny Trejo (Machete) and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix). It’s slightly darker than the first movie and the characters have a little more substance to them.

The Predator (2018) R 18

If you’re into military sci-fi and boy-finds-alien-object kinda movies, that centre around a MacGuffin, with lots of crazy action sequences and high-tech gadgets and weapons, and prefer eye-candy screen action over plot and character development (that’s not a dig at the screenwriters, honest) then this movie is likely your bag. It’s fun, follows the bigger-is-better logic in terms of monster, firepower, and action.

Prey (2022) 16+

Ever wondered what a low-tech Yautja would look like? Enjoy historic settings like Last of the Mohicans? Longing for a female protagonist in the Predator universe? This one then. The Yautja is scary as hell, the stakes are high, and the character development and arc is fantastic. Again, this feels more aimed at New Adult and has a coming of age feel to it.

Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) PG-13 12A

Prefer animation? This is the only one in the official franchise, hopefully, there will be more. This is another one for those who enjoy historical settings and slightly tighter character building. Again, due to the medium, this one might ring better for younger fans and stands as a great introduction to the Predator universe.

Predator: Badlands (2025) PG-13 12A

If you play tabletop RPGs, enjoy fantasy and adventure, and love the found family or adventuring group elements of those genres, then you’ll get a kick out of this instalment. Very low on gore and violence, with a lighter disposition and even a little wholesome humour, this movie stands out from the others as more family friendly. Something for young viewers and perhaps their parents. This one’s for the new upcoming generation of fans.

There you have it. But surely, I must have a favourite, right? Like I said, it’s about the rewatches for me. I have watched Predator countless times, easily 100 rewatches – possibly much, much more. I rewatched Predator 2 several times in the past but wouldn’t bother now. The AVPs I rewatched a few times but could take them or leave them. Predators would probably be my new go-to classic to rewatch (and I’ve seen it a lot already). I’ve watched Prey a few times and every now and then I have pangs to watch it again, so that’s definitely on the rewatch list and the same goes for Killer of Killers and Badlands. I foresee a lot of rewatching in the future. They’re just so varied. I can’t see me getting bored of them that quickly.

And finally, I can’t talk about Predator films without mentioning the awesome fan films out on the web. Ones worth checking out are: Untitled Predator Fan Film and Dark Ages for those who like historical settings. Wolverine vs Predator, and Batman vs Predator (and xenos) for those who like their crossovers.

The big question: do I need to watch all of them and in what order? The big answer: no, certainly not. They are all standalone stories, simply cherry pick away. Enjoy and good hunting!