Dir: Dan Trachtenberg
Cast: Lindsay LaVanchy, Luis Ozawa Changchien, Rick Gonzalez, Michael Biehn
Dan Trachtenberg once again delivers the gore, action and visual flair in this innovative entry in the “Predator” franchise, but the anthological structure rushes its three-pronged narrative.
Despite their convenience, streaming services can be quite problematic. Platforms like Netflix and Apple TV discourage potential moviegoers from visiting local theatres and prevent many visually and narratively stunning films from ever reaching the big screen, where they belong. A notable example of this is the 2022 film “Prey”, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who is also known for “10 Cloverfield Lane”. Exclusively released on Hulu or Disney+ (depending on the region), this fifth instalment in the “Predator” franchise surprised both audiences and critics. Many believe it to be the best entry in the series since its debut in 1987.
Although I have never been a huge fan of the original film “Predator” or any of its sequels, I consider it a guilty pleasure. The camaraderie among Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and the rest of the cast produces enough macho appeal to compensate for the movie’s many shortcomings. The sequels failed to recapture this chemistry while relying on an increasingly stale formula, leaving the franchise in desperate need of a rebrand. What better way to achieve that than by turning the narrative—and the title—on its head. Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison made the bold choice to set the franchise back in the 18th century, introducing a strong, downtrodden Comanche heroine who faces off against the galaxy’s greatest hunter. Visually striking, emotionally impactful, and delightfully gory, “Prey” reignited a fading franchise by uncovering its true potential. Now, three years later, Trachtenberg returns with his latest and most ambitious entry in the sci-fi horror franchise to date.
“Predator: Killer of Killers” sees the 44-year-old filmmaker double down on what made its predecessor so successful by pitting history’s greatest warriors against Predators throughout the ages. This animated anthology tells a narrative that unfolds over three distinct periods in human history. Each segment showcases a specific weapon associated with that time, which is then contrasted with an extraordinary, intergalactic weapon in the hands of our three Predators.
The first segment is set in Viking-era Scandinavia and follows Norse warrior Ursa (Lindsay LaVanchy) as she seeks revenge for her father’s murder at the hands of Zoran (Andrew Morgado), the leader of the Krivich tribe. After tracking down her father’s killer, Ursa, along with her tribe— which includes her son, Anders (Damien Haas)— launches an attack on Zoran’s snowy fortress, quickly defeating his entire tribe. However, after the assault, Ursa’s group is ambushed by a towering Predator. In order to protect her son, Ursa uses her signature weaponised shield to defend against the alien.
Next, the story shifts to feudal Japan, where brothers Kenji and Kiyoshi (Louis Ozawa Changchien) are trained as warriors by their warlord father. Kenji refuses to fight his brother for the right to be the successor, prompting him to run away. Years later, he returns, now trained as a ninja assassin. Kenji infiltrates the clan’s castle to confront Kiyoshi once and for all, but the siblings must put their differences aside when they are both attacked by a shadowy Predator.
The final introductory segment takes place during World War II, featuring US Navy pilot Johnny Torres (Rick Gonzalez), who is grounded at the base while his squadron, led by Vandy (Michael Biehn), pursues a mysterious aircraft that has destroyed another unit. After discovering the advanced weaponry used by the unidentified fighter, Johnny takes to the skies in his rundown fighter jet, “The Bullet,” to warn his squad mates. He soon finds himself engaged in an aerial dogfight with an alien craft piloted by yet another Predator.
While it may not have the emotional impact of its predecessor, “Killer of Killers” delivers what is expected of a “Predator” film under Trachtenberg’s direction. The film is incredibly fast-paced, featuring devilishly clever and brutal kills, and continues to expand the ever-growing Predator lore throughout history. However, my main issue is one that seems common among most anthology films: a lack of depth. Clocking in at just over 80 minutes, this brisk watch dedicates only 20 minutes to each of its four segments. With each story presenting protagonists and settings rich with potential, there isn’t enough time for them to fully develop as individual narratives.
Despite this, Trachtenberg has crafted an ambitious project, highlighted by the ingenious use of animation, which harkens back to the franchise’s origins in Dark Horse comics—leading to the creation of “Alien vs. Predator” issues, among countless others. Nevertheless, it feels as though the filmmaker has attempted to cram too many ideas into one film, resulting in a work that feels unfinished by the time the credits roll. This film might have benefited from being part of a quick-release trilogy, similar to the “Fear Street” trilogy, which was released over consecutive weekends in 2021.
On par with “Prey”, the action and innovation presented in this instalment may be the strongest the franchise has ever seen. Each setting and time period is beautifully rendered with breath-taking animation, drawing inspiration from video games like “God of War”, “Ghost of Tsushima”, and “Medal of Honor”. Each protagonist encounters a Predator that is meticulously designed to match their physical and mental abilities, demonstrating that you don’t need to be as muscular as Arnold Schwarzenegger to take down one of these “ugly mother-f*ckers.”
Trachtenberg clearly acknowledges that action and violence are the main strengths of this latest instalment. As a result, the dialogue is kept to a minimum, especially in the first two segments, this doesn’t stop the cast of relatively unknown actors from doing an excellent job with the few lines they have though. A notable and fun addition to the cast is Michael Biehn, who can now join Lance Henriksen and the late Bill Paxton in the exclusive club of actors who have faced an Alien, Terminator, and Predator.
The Verdict:
Although “Predator: Killer of Killers” may not have the depth, empowerment, and structure of its predecessor, it still pushes the franchise into an exciting new direction. With the series returning this coming November with “Predator: Badlands”, it will be interesting to see what Trachtenberg does with the Predator’s long-awaited return to the big screen.
“Predator: Killer of Killers” is now available to stream on Hulu and Disney+
Dan Loves Film 
Very interesting read thanks for sharing🙏
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