The Big Picture

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

November 10, 2025

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  • The hosts generally praise Dan Trachtenberg's *Predator: Badlands* as excellent genre filmmaking, appreciating its focus on a sympathetic, outcast Predator protagonist and the effective dynamic between the young Yautja and Elle Fanning's droid, Thea. 
  • The discussion on franchise management suggests that the success of *Prey* and *Killer of Killers* reseeded interest, allowing *Predator: Badlands* to succeed theatrically by adopting a lower-stakes, one-off approach rather than heavy lore integration. 
  • The initial *Predator* franchise ranking places the original 1987 film as the undisputed best, followed by *Predators* at number two, which Chris Ryan champions despite its 'dumb movie' elements, over *Prey* and *Predator 2*. 
  • The hosts engage in a detailed ranking of the entire *Predator* franchise, placing the original *Predator* at number one and *Predators* at number two, which Chris Ryan suggests warrants a free drink for any listener who agrees with him in London. 
  • The discussion briefly pivots to anime, with Chris Ryan expressing reluctance to get into *Chainsaw Man* for fear of seeming like an 'old guy trying to get into anime to relate to people,' despite enjoying the series. 
  • The hosts express concern over Chris Columbus directing *Gremlins 3*, citing his recent directorial track record which includes films like *Pixels* and *The Christmas Chronicles Part 2*, contrasting with the quality of the original *Gremlins* films. 

Segments

Initial News and Other Media
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(00:00:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Ryan Reynolds is attached to remake the 1970s crime film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot for Amazon MGM.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly mention movie news, including Ryan Reynolds’ planned remake of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. They also reference Vince Gilligan’s new show, Pluribus, noting its cinematic energy and its connection to Breaking Bad’s evolution from black comedy to tragedy.
Badlands Introduction and Themes
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(00:08:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Predator: Badlands is the first film in the franchise to center the sympathetic protagonist perspective entirely on a Yautja.
  • Summary: The film follows an outcast young predator, Deck, attempting to prove his honor by hunting a ‘calisk’ monster, aided by the droid Thea (Elle Fanning). The narrative explores themes of trauma and finding family, utilizing a tongue-in-cheek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer-esque dialogue style.
Fanning’s Performance and Droid Exposition
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(00:17:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Elle Fanning’s performance as the droid Thea is crucial, serving as a necessary exposition device by asking the Predator questions the audience might have.
  • Summary: Thea’s curiosity allows the film to explain Yautja customs, such as their hunting criteria and need for sleep, providing convenient exposition. The language spoken by the Yautja in the film was created by the same linguist responsible for the Na’vi language in Avatar.
Franchise Management and Wayland Yutani
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(00:23:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The inclusion of the Wayland Yutani Corporation in Badlands integrates logically with the Alien franchise properties under Disney/Fox ownership.
  • Summary: Dan Trachtenberg’s stewardship of both Predator and Alien franchises is noted as exciting, as he brings scaled action expertise to Predator. The film’s use of a TV writer’s room, including talent like Brian Fuller and Patrick Somerville, is seen as logical for managing franchise material.
Predator Franchise Rankings Start
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(00:46:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The original Predator (1987) remains the franchise masterpiece, while Predators (2010) is ranked surprisingly high at number two.
  • Summary: Predator is deemed a five-star masterpiece and a searing portrait of military intervention. Predators is ranked second due to its stacked cast (including Walton Goggins and Mahershala Ali) and its ‘Most Dangerous Game’ premise, despite being considered a ‘clever but dumb movie.’
Unpacking ‘Chainsaw Man’ Anime
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(00:56:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Ryan found the initial arc of Chainsaw Man to be largely incoherent, comparing its first 40 minutes to a romantic dramedy before escalating into action involving a chainsaw-headed protagonist and the Bomb Devil.
  • Summary: The conversation touches on the anime Chainsaw Man, noting that its initial segment resembles a romantic dramedy before shifting to intense action. The Bomb Devil is described as a devil made of bombs who terrorizes the protagonist after he falls in love with her. Chris Ryan expressed hesitation about getting into anime to maintain relevance.
Ranking ‘The Predator’ Film
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(00:58:49)
  • Key Takeaway: The 2018 film The Predator is ranked low (number seven) because its narrative derailed when it focused on the autistic son of the scientist character, Jacob Tremblay, as the reason the Predators sought DNA.
  • Summary: The 2018 film The Predator is ranked seventh, with the first half featuring Boyd Holbrook and Olivia Munn being more enjoyable than the second half. The plot falters when it centers on the son’s autism as the key to the alien DNA acquisition. Sterling K. Brown’s presence in the film is also noted.
Praise for ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’
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(01:00:07)
  • Key Takeaway: The 1970s crime film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is highly praised as an excellent movie that deserved excavation, now being fully restored and available via Transmission/Radiance and Kino Lorber 4K releases.
  • Summary: The film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is lauded as an excellent movie, not just a cult item needing rediscovery. It has been fully restored, with physical media available from Transmission/Radiance and Kino Lorber in the US. Sean suggests a Dog Day Predator crossover set in 1980s New York.
Final Predator Franchise Rankings
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(01:05:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The final Predator franchise ranking places Predator (1987) at number one, Predators (2010) at number two, and the Alien vs. Predator crossover films at the bottom.
  • Summary: The definitive ranking places the original Predator at number one, followed by Predators at number two, and Predator 2 at number three, with Prey at four and Predator: Badlands at five. The Alien vs. Predator films are ranked last, with Requiem being considered the worst.
Discussion on Sydney Sweeney’s Career
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(00:09:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Sydney Sweeney is noted for actively pursuing diverse roles, including the biopic Christie and the HBO film Reality, demonstrating a ‘bet on yourself’ doctrine by choosing challenging projects over limiting herself to bombshell roles.
  • Summary: Sydney Sweeney’s recent filmography includes the poorly performing Christie and the well-received Reality, alongside the box office hit Anyone But You. The hosts admire her choice to pursue independent films and producing roles rather than solely relying on her bombshell persona. Her next film is The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig.