Dan Trachtenberg's "Predator: Killer of Killers"
Review by Dennis D. McDonald
“Heads will roll”
In this animated entry, we get hyper-violent encounters between humans and Predators set across three different time periods. The physical environments are gorgeously rendered, the blood-and-gore-infused battles are spectacular—if over the top and unbelievable—and we witness human-versus-Predator clashes from three distinct perspectives. The ending cleverly integrates all three plotlines in a surprisingly satisfying way.
What’s not to like? Well, you’ll need to set your blood-and-gore tolerance meter to 10. Be warned. Character development is a bit thin, with the most striking personality being the Viking queen Ursa, who slashes her way through scores of foes to settle a very old score. If I had to pick my favorite segment of the three, it would be the underwater sequence in the first episode. (I wonder—did Trachtenberg consult with Tom Cruise on the recent Mission: Impossible film’s incredible submarine sequence?)
It’s a fun ride, as long as you can stomach the buckets-of-blood approach. It certainly has me looking forward to Trachtenberg’s next Predator film, which, intriguingly, stars Elle Fanning. If Trachtenberg comes close to the excellence of Prey, my popcorn-munching self will be quite happy!
© 2025 Dennis D. McDonald
