Thescreescore – In a shocking departure from its blood-soaked legacy, the upcoming Predator: Badlands is poised to break a 38-year franchise tradition. Slated for a November 7th theatrical release, this sixth installment, helmed by director Dan Trachtenberg, has secured a PG-13 rating, marking the first time a mainline Predator film has shied away from the R-rated gore that defined the series. The film follows Thia (Elle Fanning) and Dex (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) as they navigate a treacherous landscape and face off against deadly creatures in their quest for the ultimate hunter.
The news of the PG-13 rating has ignited a firestorm of debate amongst fans. While a broader audience can now access the Predator universe, some fear that the toned-down violence will dilute the essence of what made the franchise so iconic. The original Predator (1987) was a masterclass in suspense and visceral action, and many subsequent entries doubled down on the graphic carnage. The only previous exception to the R-rating was Alien vs. Predator, a crossover film.
The Motion Picture Association defines PG-13 as allowing for a single instance of harsher sexual language and descriptions of violence that aren’t "realistic, extreme, or persistent." In contrast, R-rated films often feature overt gore, nudity within a sexual context, and more explicit language. This shift in rating suggests a deliberate attempt to broaden the appeal of the Predator franchise, potentially attracting younger viewers and those typically averse to excessive bloodshed.
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The trailer for Predator: Badlands offers glimpses of Thia and Dex’s dynamic as they traverse a hostile planet. While the trailer doesn’t showcase the franchise’s signature slasher-style kills, it highlights the characters’ chemistry and the pulse-pounding action sequences. Trachtenberg has also hinted that the film will share at least one key element with the critically acclaimed Prey: a traumatic opening event that plunges Dex and the audience into a high-stakes, emotionally charged situation.
Speaking with thescreescore.com, Trachtenberg emphasized that Badlands is, at its core, an underdog story about two outcasts forging an unexpected alliance. Producer Ben Rosenblatt explained that Badlands was prioritized over a direct Prey sequel because it offers "something unexpected," and Trachtenberg aimed to take a "big swing that no one’s taken yet." This bold move, breaking the franchise’s long-standing rating tradition, aligns with the director’s vision of pushing the boundaries of the Predator universe.
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