Animated Film ● Review: Predator: Killer of Killers

English Title: Predator: Killer of Killers

Director(s): Dan Trachtenberg & Joshua Wassung

Screenwriter(s): Micho Robert Rutare

Studio: 20th Century Studios & others

Released: 2025

Runtime: 1h 25m

Starring: Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Rick Gonzalez, Michael Biehn

My Verdict: Nothing great but still interesting to see different Predators in different eras. If one walks into this without any expectations, then it can still be enjoyable.

● As expected, the premise adopts a similar approach to Prey (2022) and Predators (2010).

● It is structured into four segments, three short stories in different settings and with characters—“The Shield”,  “The Sword” and “The Bullet”—before the final segment that brings it together. The segments are not equal in length.

● “The Shield” is set in Scandinavia in the year 841. Ursa and her tribe are on a campaign to wipe out another tribe. Watching them is a lineman-thug Predator.

● Unfortunately, Ursa is just an angry man in a woman’s body. Her strength and stamina are beyond even a fit man which goes against the semi-realistic, gritty tone.

● “The Sword” is set in Japan in 1609. The older brother refuses to fight his younger brother for the right to succeed their father. Although it seems the contest is not supposed to be to the death, he runs away. Not sure why exactly. Twenty years later, at the death of their father, he returns to infiltrate the castle to attack his brother. Again, not sure why exactly.

● The story is practically without dialogue which mostly works except for the abovementioned lack of clarity (which could be clarified with or without dialogue). Either way, the blend of stealth and action yields decent dramatic tension and suspense.

● “The Bullet” is set in the Atlantic in 1942 where John Torres is serving onboard an aircraft carrier. Fighter pilots returning tell of a strange attacker. Meanwhile, others scramble for battle. Indeed, Torres finds Predator tech stuck in one of the planes and, given the jamming, decides to take off to warn the others but ends up engaging the Predator.

● Whilst a Predator in air combat is different, it is too forced. A Predator is overpowered compared to humans anyway and it is presumably because of their culture and code that they take things slowly and limit the use of certain weapons. But still, the premise and the way the action unfolds are too contrived.

● It is apparent even near the start of the film that it brings the characters together in the final segment despite coming from different eras. Unfortunately, the humans get away with too much. Granted, the Predators don’t mind and they love a good hunt and fight but still, it comes across as too cheese.

● If there is to be a final segment at all, it need not bring together the human characters. It can use those stories as a segue to delve into Predator culture and some other conflict.

● Like Prey, the Predators are different from the ones seen in previous films. It is interesting to see three Predators from three eras that are different in build, have different equipment and, judging by the style, probably from different warrior classes and/or from different tribes.

● Visually, it mostly looks good. The designs are nice and the rendering mimics what is seen in Arcane but with a bit more grit.

● The animation can be too jerky as if the framerate is too low. This is particularly a problem in “The Shield” but is mostly not an issue for the rest of the film. The editing, however, is nicely done.

● The Predator’s infrared POV and cloaking effects are nicely done.

● Overall, it is more about the visual experience than the storytelling. The second story, “The Sword”, is the best. Either way, it is moderately interesting to see different Predators in different eras. The pacing within each segment and as a whole is decent. Despite whatever weaknesses, and if one doesn’t expect too much, the film is still moderately enjoyable.

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