PREDATOR: BADLANDS | WHERE DEI BECOMES AN ASSET

Written by Michael Thervil

PREDATOR: BADLANDS | WHERE DEI BECOMES AN ASSET | VIDEO BY 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS

[Predator: Badlands DEI] Has DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) come to the Predator franchise? The short answer is yes, but not in the way many may think. Predator: Badlands is a film that is centered around redemption, honor, and tactical decision making. Like with any film that we review, we’re not in the business of spoilers. But if you are wondering if Predator: Badlands delivers, we are happy to say that it does. While the film may feel “dark” in terms of contrast and coloring grading, the overall feel and viewer experience of Predator: Badlands is bright. Predator: Badlands is directed by Dan Trachtenberg who brought films like “10 Cloverfield Lane”, HULU classics like “Prey”, “Predator: Killer”, and “The Boys”.

A synopsis of Predator: Badlands highlights the conflict within a warrior class specifically between a father and two sons, in which the father seeks to honor their time-tested conservative tradition of maintaining superior warriors at the expense of his youngest son who is considered the “runt” of the family and protected by his brother. With something to prove to both his father for tribal acceptance, to honor his brother, and to maintain his self-esteem and self-worth, he sets out to conquer and kill the most feared apex Predator in the galaxy. The starring Predator, who like all Predators are not only self-reliant, but by tradition “hunt” alone, is forced to strategically break that “lone wolf” tradition to conquer the most feared Apex Predator in the galaxy.

In terms of whether Predator Badlands are riddled with elements of DEI, it is diverse in the aspect that it includes breaking the traditional mold of the “Lone Wolf” prize hunting Predator within the series. Looking at the “E” for equity, Predator: Badlands, does a great job at implementing the suspension of judgment when it comes to how the Predator empathizes for those that he encounters as well as how he strategically reevaluates fairness and justice. The inclusion in Predator: Badlands comes into play as the Predator strategically allows himself to operate alongside the most unlikely of assets or characters he refers to as “tools”.

In short Predator: Badlands is a great addition to the Predator franchise and from the looks of it appears that there just may be a sequel to this film. What that sequel looks like is currently up in the air. You can watch Predator: Badlands in theaters nationwide.