Predator: Badlands—the latest high-octane instalment in the iconic action-thriller franchise—returns to thrill audiences once more, with the acclaimed Elle Fanning taking the lead role.
In this newest Predator film, Fanning plays Thia, a highly advanced android who has been torn in half and left stranded in a vulture’s nest on the perilous planet Genna—a world so deadly it could kill you in seconds. Her fate changes when she encounters Dek, a Yautja hunter exiled from his own kind, who stumbles upon her during his wandering. Thia becomes his invaluable tool and unlikely ally, and together they form an extraordinary bond in a world built on survival and instinct.
Speaking about her role, Elle shared:
“When I first read the script, I thought, ‘This is completely mad.’ I mean, wait—no legs? I’m a robot? And I’m basically a backpack? My first question was, ‘How on earth are we going to make this work?’ But Dan had such a strong, confident vision that I immediately wanted to jump in and take on the challenge. I’d never done anything like this before, and I knew if I was going to do it, I had to give it absolutely everything.”
Becoming a half-bodied android carried on someone’s back for most of the film was, unsurprisingly, no small feat. Fanning was physically strapped onto Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays Dek—the disgraced Predator fighting to prove himself—using harnesses and wires throughout much of the shoot. It was a gruelingly physical role, yet Elle described the experience as exhilarating, saying she loved every demanding moment.
Whether you’re a fan of Elle Fanning or a Predator devotee, Predator: Badlands promises a pulse-pounding cinematic experience not to be missed. The film is now showing in cinemas nationwide, including IMAX.
And for those who dare to embrace their inner hunter, the “Predator: Badlands Immersive Experience” invites you to put your skills to the test. Simply present your Predator: Badlands cinema ticket and take part in this thrilling challenge, running from 6–16 November 2025 at SF World Cinema, CentralWorld (8th Floor).
