Phil Roberts 
Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of Killers is a masterclass of Predator epics. Though not individually spectacular, the collection of stories culminates in the mother of all adventures.
At long last, it’s time to return to the Predator franchise in Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of Killers. The long-awaited animated anthology is the first of two Predator movies set for release in 2025, and fans are more than ready for the hunt to begin. Predator: Badlands will catapult us into a futuristic hunt on the big screen in November. But before the hunt begins anew, we have three bold and visceral anthologies to enjoy. With the genre breaking the mould and pivoting to the animated genre for this outing, the shackles are off, allowing director Trachtenberg to push the boundaries of the formula and try something fresh.
The trailer is packed with fantastic animation, crazy bloodshed, and some really brutal kills, setting the stage for an epic adventure. But does the franchise really work in animation like it does in live-action? Or should the Predator series stick to the big screen and shine in amazing live-action 4K?
REVIEW
Fear not, Predator fans, because Predator: Killer of Killers is an absolute triumph. Dan Trachtenberg has presented a gripping anthology of stories that take the franchise in a bold new direction, adding fresh elements to the tried-and-tested formula. Although not individually spectacular, the collection of stories culminates in the mother of all adventures, which will change the face of the franchise forever. The animation is crisp and atmospheric, the action is bold and brutal, and the stories themselves are compelling, giving fans much to chew over.
Sadly, it isn’t all sweetness and light. There are a few detractions along the way, after all, no film is perfect, but overall, the film is a glorious return for the alien hunter. That, coupled with a wonderfully layered score from Benjamin Wallfisch, delivers a welcome outing in the Predator universe.
ANTHOLOGIES
Trachtenberg’s creative choices for the setting of these individual volumes are a masterstroke. Fans have long yearned to see the alien hunter tackle Ninjas and Vikings, and here, the director has rewarded us handsomely. However, it is the third volume that truly breaks new ground. The decision to pit the alien hunter in a dogfight with Allied aircraft during World War II was a bold and creative choice. But I am delighted to report that it has paid off incredibly well. Watching the alien hunter test its piloting wits against a squadron of the Allies’ best pilots is a thrill ride, one that delivers way more than anticipated. And it is refreshing to see the formula shaken up with such vision.
However, before we delve into the qualities of each volume, there is an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed. The Predator franchise has been built on the foundation established by Jim and John Thomas’s brilliant original story. We have always known that the Yatuja hunters only hunt in the hottest climates, and sadly, Trachtenberg has sidestepped this plot point to facilitate his Viking episode.
VIKINGS
While this deviation from the lore isn’t necessarily negative, it is a source of frustration. However, without these omissions, the stories we enjoy would not be possible. Yes, it tinkers with the established lore, but sadly, it is a necessary evil to expand the mythology and explore new, viable hunting grounds.
The first of these new territories we get to explore is the snow-covered terrain of Norse mythology. Pitting the Predator against a race of Vikings has always been high on fans’ wishlists, and the payoff is worth the wait. The plot of this volume is simple. The patriarch of a clan of Viking warriors is seeking revenge on the monster who murdered her father and sets off on a quest for vengeance. At her side, her young son, who is looking forward to earning his place as a warrior of the clan. After barely establishing the characters, a trait that frustratingly befalls every episode of the anthology, we are thrust into the climactic battle. It’s here, atop the snow-covered peaks of Norway, that the Predator finds its quarry and the patriarch finds himself fighting something far more monstrous than she bargained for.
POSITIVES
Although the episode suffers from a criminal lack of depth, after all, each episode is only 20-25 minutes long, Trachtenberg works wonders to craft characters we can rally behind. Watching the Predator brutally dispatch members of the patriarch’s clan is a joy to behold. In true franchise fashion, arms are severed, heads are removed, and trophies are taken, keeping in with the tradition of the series – and it doesn’t hold back. One can be forgiven for thinking the studio would dial down on the bloodletting for an animated feature. But thankfully, Trachtenberg has done us proud and ramped up the eye-watering kills, and that is thanks, in part, to the new weaponry the hunter employs. Sonic blaster, anyone? In Prey, Trachtenberg expanded the hunter’s arsenal, and in this installment, he continues to introduce innovative gadgets that enhance its lethal capabilities.
Speaking of animation, the work of the Third Floor is nothing short of spectacular. The animation style used here is reminiscent of the chalk-like technique seen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The result is a wonderfully crisp, rich, and rewarding palette that perfectly complements the Predator landscape. The snow-covered terrain is recreated in breathtaking fashion, leaving us with a feast of visual splendor – and the contrast of the blood-splatter is more than enough to get the juices flowing.
SAMURAI
The second volume in the anthology is devoted to two feuding Samurai brothers. From a young age, the brothers were pitted against one another by their father in a fight for the right of succession. However, when one emerges victorious, the other retreats from his father’s palace and bides his time to strike back at his brother. Decades later, the path to succession draws near, and the failed brother launches a bid for vengeance. But his assault on the palace is being watched by a Predator, who quickly targets the brothers and any ninja who stand in its way.
Sadly, yet again, the time constraints prevent the story from adding any real depth to the characters who carry this volume forward. But, as always, Trachtenberg works wonders to add what depth he can to Micho Robert Rutare’s light screenplay. That being said, the animation is breathtaking, the martial arts and katana fights are well-choreographed, and the new Predator’s weaponry is cleverly devised, leading to some of the most visceral kills in the series to date. It’s brutal in every sense, but if you’re a Predator fan, you’ll be more than satisfied with this volume.
DOOMED SQUADRON
And finally, we arrive at the final volume in this anthology, and my pick of the bunch. I mentioned earlier that changing the formula by taking the Predator into a dogfight with a squadron of allied warplanes was a masterstroke, and I repeat that sentiment. Having a Predator chasing down fighter jets with its lethal spacecraft and using all manner of gruesome devices to hunt its prey is the change of formula the franchise needed. It’s a bold departure from what we are used to, but it serves as the perfect evolution of the story we know and love.
The story follows a young pilot, called up for active duty and assigned aboard an aircraft carrier. Once aboard, he honed his mechanical expertise, which he had learned from his father, and rebuilt fighter planes damaged in bombing runs. However, when one of the vessel squadrons is destroyed by an unknown aircraft, the young pilot follows his squadron into the clouds and encounters an alien spacecraft with incredibly agile maneuvering. With his squadron of ace pilots completely outmatched, the young pilot and his commanding officer find themselves devising new strategies to fight the invader.
What follows is a gripping dogfight that takes the events of Top Gun to a whole new level. We have WWII fighters dodging alien grappling hooks, net traps, and a host of familiar weaponry…all the while zooming along at incredible velocity.
THE HUNT IS AIBOURNE
The episode is captivating, and what makes it even more remarkable is the voice actor who brings the commander to life. I won’t spoil their identity for you here, but I recommend paying close attention to the credits. This actor now joins a select group of talents who have gone up against both an Alien Xenomorph and a Predator. It’s a minor detail, but it will certainly give fans something to appreciate and celebrate.
By the time the curtain falls on this final chapter, it’s clear that we’ve witnessed a significant shift for the franchise. Having grown up with it, I’ve always been hesitant to see the familiar formula changed. However, Dan Trachtenberg’s decision to take the hunt to the skies has introduced an exciting and natural expansion of the Predator lore. It was a bold gamble, and I’m thrilled to see it pay off so well. Thankfully, Ben Wallfisch’s richly layered score incorporates several of Alan Silvestri’s iconic themes, enhancing the atmosphere throughout. But if you thought this was the end of the story, think again.
THE REAL HUNT
With the trio of volumes complete, Trachtenberg throws a curveball that will change the game for this franchise forever. In the trailer, we see the young pilot from episode three wearing an electronic neck collar and emerging from a cargo hold. It is here that all three volumes converge, adding the depth that was previously missing from each. It’s a clever ploy by the director to deliver the meat of the story in what is the final salvo, and I applaud him for this non-linear approach. It works wonders and only intensifies the gravity of the big reveal.
I will not spoil this final chapter for you, but I will applaud the director for delivering a potential treasure trove of new stories for this franchise. This is a fan’s dream, opening up possibilities for many stories the fanbase has always wanted to see. And if the final sequence is anything to go by, then Predator: Badlands just went from hotly anticipated to completely unmissable.
VERDICT
Overall, Predator: Killer of Killers is an excellent return to the Predator universe. We are introduced to a trio of new Predators, each as unique and striking as those in the previous installments of the saga. Additionally, we are treated to three stunning new landscapes, all of which have been conceptualized and brought to life through the exceptional animation provided by The Third Floor. This film is particularly noteworthy because it is the first Predator project to officially refer to the species as “Yatuja.” Although this name has been part of pop culture for decades, Killer of Killers officially adopts the term for this film, which is a notable positive aspect.
If that isn’t enough, fans are presented with a string of delightful tidbits of nostalgia and Easter eggs to chew over. Benjamin Wallfisch’s atmospheric soundtrack effectively enhances the experience, adding to the tension, especially when it incorporates Alan Silvestri’s iconic themes. And finally, Dan Trachtenberg does the unthinkable by altering the formula and taking us into the startosphere.
FINALLY…
In the end, we are left with a trio of deliberately light episodes that culminate in a stunning final act, adding more substance to the universe’s narrative than anyone is prepared for. If you thought this animated movie was an inconsequential side story, think again. By the time the credits are rolling, jaws will hit the floor, and fans will be salivating over where the franchise will turn next. With this anthology proving to be greater than the sum of its parts and Predator: Badlands now becoming more significant than ever, the future is bright for the Predator franchise, and I am desperate for the next hunt.
Congratulations, Dan Trachtenberg. Prey was incredible, and Killer of Killers was a blast, but I suspect the greatest hunt will begin in November.
Predator: Killer of Killers premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on June 6th
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
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