Thescreescore – Director Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of Killers isn’t just another entry in the sci-fi horror franchise; it’s a cinematic earthquake. This Hulu-exclusive animated film, following the exploits of Yautja predators across three distinct historical periods (Viking age, feudal Japan, and WWII), has obliterated the franchise’s Rotten Tomatoes audience score record, achieving a staggering 91% Popcornmeter score. This achievement surpasses even the beloved original 1987 Predator, which held the previous record at 87%. The film, boasting an all-star voice cast including Michael Biehn, has resonated deeply with audiences, who are lauding its innovative storytelling, emotionally complex characters, and rich expansion of the established lore. This triumph follows hot on the heels of its Certified Fresh 97% Tomatometer score, making it the critically acclaimed champion of the Predator universe.
While the critical acclaim is undeniable, Thescreescore.com‘s Grant Hermanns offered a more tempered review, scoring the film a 5/10. Hermanns noted the film’s "directionless" plot and cliffhanger ending, leaving viewers craving – and perhaps dreading – a sequel. This slightly less enthusiastic response accounts for the minor discrepancy between the Tomatometer and Popcornmeter scores.
This impressive audience reception marks a significant turning point for the franchise. While previous installments often saw audience scores exceeding critical scores, Killer of Killers is only the fourth film in a row to show a smaller audience score. However, the difference between its critical and audience scores is remarkably small, only a 6% gap. This signals a powerful connection between the film’s vision and audience expectations. The film also boasts the third positive Popcornmeter score in the franchise’s history, a feat previously achieved only by the original film and Prey.
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This success sets the stage for Trachtenberg’s upcoming live-action theatrical release, Predator: Badlands, starring Elle Fanning. While surpassing Killer of Killers’ remarkable scores might seem a Herculean task, Trachtenberg’s proven ability to revitalize the franchise suggests Badlands could be another monumental success. The future of the Predator franchise, it seems, is brighter than ever. Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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