Predator: Badlands – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Predator: Badlands

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2025

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Predator outcast teams up with an unlikely ally in this surprisingly fresh sci-fi action romp—if you can handle the gore.

7.6/10

85%

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Predator: Badlands

movie

PG-13, 2025

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Predator outcast teams up with an unlikely ally in this surprisingly fresh sci-fi action romp—if you can handle the gore.

7.6

85%

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7.6/10

85%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a Predator movie. You know what you're getting: lots of violence, creative kills, and alien weaponry doing very graphic things to bodies. The twist here is that it's actually good—critics and audiences both loved it, and the premise of following an outcast Predator is legitimately fresh.

For the right teen (14+, into sci-fi action, not squeamish), this could be a fun watch with some decent themes about identity and choosing your own path. But let's be crystal clear: this is not for younger kids, period. The 14+ rating is the floor, not a suggestion.

If your teen loved Prey (the previous Predator film) or is into hard sci-fi action like The Mandalorian's darker episodes, this hits that sweet spot. Just make sure they know what they're signing up for—this isn't Marvel-level sanitized action.

Age Fit

This is strictly for ages 14 and up—mature teens who can handle intense violence and aren't squeamish about gore. The action and sci-fi elements will appeal most to high schoolers and adults who enjoy the franchise or hard-edged sci-fi action films.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a Predator franchise film—a series built on intergalactic hunting, violence, and brutal kills. While the 'outcast finding an ally' premise hints at themes of redemption and unlikely friendship, the franchise DNA means the emotional core is wrapped in graphic action. The tone is dark, intense, and not designed to model cooperation in any wholesome sense—more survival and combat.

Imaginative

The premise of a young Predator outcast searching for 'the ultimate adversary' with an unlikely ally is genuinely fresh for the franchise. Flipping the perspective to follow the Predator as protagonist rather than antagonist shows creative ambition. The sci-fi world-building, alien cultures, and adventure elements invite curiosity about Predator society and lore. Strong ratings (86% RT critics, 95% audience, 7.5 IMDb) suggest the execution delivers on this imaginative premise.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 14+, which signals significant violence, likely gore, and intense action sequences typical of the Predator franchise. This isn't a jump-scare horror film, but it's definitely a movie where you'll see graphic kills, alien weapons tearing through bodies, and probably some disturbing imagery. For teens who know what they're signing up for with a Predator movie, it's 'safe' in the sense of no surprises. For younger kids or anyone sensitive to violence, this is a hard pass.

Enriching

The 'outcast finding redemption' arc and themes of alliance across differences offer some emotional depth. Exploring Predator culture from the inside could provide interesting perspective on honor codes, warrior societies, and what it means to be an outsider. The action-adventure structure keeps it entertaining. However, this is primarily a visceral action experience—the enrichment is secondary to the spectacle. It's not going to spark deep philosophical discussions, but it might get teens thinking about loyalty, identity, and choosing your own path.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Flips the franchise script by making the Predator the protagonist, which is genuinely creative and offers a fresh perspective on the alien warrior culture
Strong critical and audience scores (86% critics, 95% audience) suggest this isn't just another cash-grab sequel—it actually delivers
Themes of being an outcast, finding unlikely allies, and forging your own path could resonate with teens navigating identity and belonging
The sci-fi world-building and adventure elements provide escapist entertainment with some substance underneath the action

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a hard R-level violence movie—expect graphic kills, gore, and intense combat sequences throughout
The 14+ rating is not a suggestion; younger kids will be genuinely disturbed by the violence
Some teens who are sensitive to blood and body horror should skip this, even if they're old enough
It's a Predator movie—if your teen hasn't seen the franchise before, maybe start with the 1987 original to gauge their tolerance

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it would be like to be rejected by your own community? How would that change who you become?"
"The Predators have this whole honor code about hunting. Do you think violence can ever be 'honorable,' or is that just justification?"
"Who do you think the 'unlikely ally' is, and why would they team up with a Predator?"
"If you could explore any alien culture in sci-fi, which one would be the most interesting to you?"

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