Predator: Killer of Killers, Movie Review
The director of ‘Prey’ reaches thrilling new heights as his latest excitably expands the Predator universe.
Prey skinned the Predator franchise back-to-basics, and in return crafted a brutal, bloody and badass survival tale. It became a much-needed reminder of why this savage species scared the shit out of us. The director of Prey, Dan Trachtenberg, returns to tell a different tale about these magnificent monster warriors in a stellar sci-fi animated anthology called Predator: Killer of Killers.
Told in three parts (‘The Shield’, ‘The Sword’, and ‘The Bullet’), each story takes place in three different time periods, focusing on the fiercest of fighters. They each set out with something to personally prove in their own short yet emotional journey that cannot end without a face-off against a Predator.
There’s a Viking raider who must avenge her father, a ninja brother seeking retribution after being betrayed by his samurai brother, and a young WWII pilot who flies the skies to battle a ferocious alien force. However, they all soon realize they are being hunted in a mortal game of survival of the fittest. And it all leads to a finale featuring our three worthy adversaries in a survivor showdown where the choice between winning or dying is a difficult one considering what the victor receives.
Trachtenberg and co-director Josh Wassung, along with writer Micho Robert Rutare, reach thrilling new heights as they expand the Predator universe with Killer of Killers. The sublime animation is brilliantly and beautifully utilized to enhance the storytelling, especially when it comes to the action sequences. They’re bloodthirsty and barbaric, just as fans like it.
Prey reinvigorated the Predator franchise. Killer of Killers further strengthens it with added depth and more deadly variations of these baneful beasts. There’s real momentum now for Predator: Badlands (Nov. 7), which is co-written and directed by Trachtenberg. It marks the first Predator movie to get a wide release in theaters since 2018. All signs are pointing to it being well worth the wait.