Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – Three legendary warriors, a Viking mother seeking vengeance, a ninja fighting his samurai brother, and a WWII pilot facing cosmic horrors – become prey to an unstoppable hunter of killers.

My Take – With the franchise hitting an all-time low with the overly ambitious The Predator (2018), the galaxy’s ultimate hunter finally got a new lease to life with director Dan Trachtenberg‘s Prey (2022), a prequel feature that not only took the franchise back to its stripped-down roots, but also proved how gripping (well done right) a story set in the past could be.

But while we wait to see what the filmmaker has in store for us in the upcoming Badlands (2025), that is set to release in November this year, along with co-director Joshua Wassung and writer Micho Robert Rutare, Trachtenberg takes the fan desire of witnessing more Predator encounters across diverse historical landscapes and crafts an epic animated anthology where individual tales of survival and savagery are woven together into a larger, interconnected narrative.

Wildly creative, visually spectacular, and thrilling from start to finish, the film cleverly blends historical conflict with sci-fi terror in the form of visually stunning and distinct animated shorts, set across three distinct eras: a Viking battlefield, feudal Japan, and the skies of WWII, with each story standing on its own, with intense action, emotionally driven characters, and stunning animation that allows each setting its own identity.

Yes, I had major issues with the ending of the film, something which felt like a blatant setup for a sequel, but it is undeniable how the Hulu release marks yet another bold and refreshing entry into a franchise that has been struggling to find its footing ever since the original 1987 sci-fi action starring Arnold Schwarzenegger opened doors to immense storytelling potential.

And having already delivered one of the most successful entries in the series, director Trachtenberg has well proven that he understands this universe like few others do. Raising the excitement for what comes next for the legendary hunter from the stars.

As mentioned above, the film is set across three different time periods, telling different stories of the titular Yautja looking for the best warriors to hunt. The first one is set in 841 Viking-era Scandinavia and follows a hardened raider named Ursa (voiced by Lindsay LaVanchy), accompanied by her young son, Anders (voiced by Damien Haas), is leading her clan on a brutal quest for vengeance, decimating one village after the other. Her path leads her into a snowy wilderness, where she encounters something far more dangerous than any clan rival.

The second one is set in 1609 feudal Japan and follows Brothers Kenji and Kiyoshi (both voiced by Louis Ozawa), two estranged brothers and sons of a samurai warlord, who come into a confrontation over the future of their clan. However, their final showdown is interrupted by a demon kind of enemy.

The third one is set in 1942 during World War II and follows Torres (voiced by Rick Gonzalez), an Allied fighter pilot who finds himself in a desperate fight for survival when he realizes an invisible enemy that has also destroyed another unit is stalking him from above.

Right from the opening minutes, the film delivers exactly what fans (like myself) expect from a ‘Predator‘ story. Filled with brutal combats, clever kills and characters who don’t go down easy, the anthology finds a sweet spot between savagery and style.

The ambitious structure that showcases the varied settings and conflicts while still telling a cohesive broader story, is where the animated medium truly shines, offering a scope that would be a colossal undertaking in live-action.

Like ‘Prey‘, that gave us a Predator perfectly matched to the time of the Comanche warriors, this one does something similar. Each Predator is tailored to its setting, both in design and behavior. The one in Viking-era Scandinavia is a hulking, primal force. The Japan segment gives us a fast, silent hunter who moves like a ghost. And in the World War II chapter, the Predator is almost machine-like as it flies a spacecraft.

It helps that the animation itself is exceptionally stylish itself, painting each frame with a polished sheen and striking visuals. The flying scenes, blood effects, fire, and fight choreography all looked fantastic. What sets this film apart is how it balances spectacle with substance. While the Predator remains a deadly force, the real focus is on the humans and their internal struggles.

Out of all three stories, the feudal Japan segment absolutely stole the show for me. It’s almost entirely free of dialogue, but that silence speaks volumes. What unfolds is a visually stunning, tension-soaked battle between a disciplined samurai and his estranged ninja brother. The film also deserves credit for using native languages and unique visual techniques that elevate the storytelling. Though the final act tries to connect the stories in a big way and stumbles, the intense action-packed experience is undeniable.

The voice cast that comprises of Rick Gonzalez, Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa and Michael Biehn do a fine enough job. On the whole, ‘Predator: Killer of Killers‘ is a bold, visually stunning and well-crafted addition that expands the franchise in a creative and engaging way.