Let’s pause for a second and talk about the history of this franchise. The first Predator movie from 1987 is often remembered for its over-the-top action and Schwarzenegger one-liners, but let’s be real: it was so much more than that. It was a survival horror story dressed up as a B-movie action flick - a story about man versus the unknown, about primal instincts and the arrogance of human power. But the sequels? They leaned harder and harder into the B-movie cheese. Fun, sure. But none of them came close to recapturing that initial sense of myth and menace. Until now.
Here’s the gist: four stories, each beautifully animated, each with its own flavor, but all tied together like a single pulse-pounding ride. The first chapter follows a Nordic queen on a revenge quest. She crosses paths with a Predator and has to outsmart him using only her wits and sheer bad-assary. Then there’s the second tale, set in feudal Japan, where two samurai brothers’ feud is interrupted - quite literally - by a Predator with no time for their family drama. The third story jumps to World War II, where a pilot dogfighting in the skies finds himself face-to-face with the ultimate hunter. And then? Oh, then it all comes together in the fourth act. I won't spoil it for you but it all comes together beautifully.
It’s the kind of narrative puzzle that’s ambitious and thrilling all at once.
But let’s talk about that animation. Think Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but with more shadows and teeth. It’s 3D, but with a low frame rate that turns every frame into a stylized painting. The fight choreography is as good as anything I’ve seen in a live-action movie. Every move feels weighty. Every blow looks devastating. And it’s just so satisfying to watch!
I’m thrilled to see the Predator franchise finally getting the love and respect it deserves. Don’t get me wrong, I adore those old-school B-movie vibes. But Prey (which, by the way, is also amazing and on Hulu) already showed us what happens when you pair the Predator with tight, thoughtful storytelling. And now, with Killer of Killers, director Dan Trachtenberg (I double-checked the spelling, by the way!) proves he’s got a clear vision for this whole universe. He understands that the Predator is less about monster-of-the-week thrills and more about pitting humans against their own limits and then watching them go further.
I know some people roll their eyes at franchises that won’t die. But trust me, this is different. It’s not just another sequel. It’s a reinvention. And it’s one of the most stylish, creative, and downright fun ways to spend an hour and a half. If you have Disney+, or just Hulu, put it on tonight. Even if you’re not a Predator diehard, I promise this one’s worth it.
10/10 for me. And I can’t wait to see where this franchise goes next.
