Dan Trachtenberg just flipped the Predator franchise on its head. Predator: Badlands, released November 7, 2025, makes cinematic history by telling the story from the Yautja’s perspective—and it’s not your typical hunt. This sixth live-action installment follows Dek, an outcast warrior who breaks his species’ sacred code, while Elle Fanning plays dual synthetic roles in a shocking ending that answers definitively: No, Tessa does not survive.
Table of Contents
A Different Kind of Predator Story
Unlike previous franchise entries focused on humans being hunted, Badlands explores Yautja culture through Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), an undersized warrior struggling to meet his species’ brutal expectations. His journey becomes unexpectedly compassionate when he befriends Bud, a juvenile Kalisk he was supposed to kill for trophy status.
| Character | Actor/Role | Faction | Ultimate Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dek | Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (Yautja) | Rogue Warrior | Returns to Yautja Prime with trophy |
| Tessa | Elle Fanning (Synthetic) | Weyland-Yutani | Decapitated by Dek, head presented as trophy |
| Thia | Elle Fanning (Synthetic) | Rebel Alliance | Survives, allies with Dek |
| Kalisk | Creature | Native Species | Destroyed by freeze grenades |
| Bud | Juvenile Kalisk | Protected by Dek | Survives, shown growing at film’s end |
This narrative pivot connects Predator to the larger Alien universe through Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the franchise’s iconic villainous megacorp known from films like Alien.
The Kalisk Battle: Who Really Wins?
The climax centers on the Kalisk, a creature with remarkable regenerative abilities that Weyland-Yutani synthetics want to exploit for corporate gain. Tessa leads the capture mission while Thia rebels, siding with Dek to protect the species.
During the explosive finale, Dek and Thia free the captured Kalisk, which attacks and devours Tessa. However, she’d stolen Dek’s freeze grenades earlier—she detonates them inside the creature, freezing and shattering it from within. It’s a pyrrhic victory that destroys both predator and prey.
Tessa’s Gruesome End
Emerging from the Kalisk’s frozen remains, Tessa is heavily damaged but functional. She immediately turns on Thia, accusing her sister synthetic of excessive empathy and betrayal. Just as Tessa prepares to execute Thia, Dek strikes from behind with his plasma sword.
The film cuts away before showing the complete kill, but the implication is clear—Dek decapitates Tessa. The final proof arrives when Dek returns to Yautja Prime, presenting Tessa’s severed head to his father as his hunt trophy. This brutal act fulfills Yautja tradition while confirming Tessa’s permanent death.
What Makes This Ending Revolutionary
Predator: Badlands subverts franchise expectations by making the Predator the protagonist and Weyland-Yutani the antagonist. Dek’s choice to protect Bud (the juvenile Kalisk) directly violates the Yautja Codex stating they are “friend to none,” establishing him as his species’ first true rebel.
The post-credits tease showing Bud growing larger hints at franchise continuity—the Kalisk species survives through the offspring Dek saved. This setup could drive future installments exploring whether Dek’s compassion creates consequences or opportunities.
Elle Fanning’s dual performance as opposing synthetics echoes the sci-fi tradition of exploring artificial consciousness through identical entities making different moral choices. Tessa represents corporate exploitation without ethics, while Thia embodies empathy that transcends programming.
By weaving Weyland-Yutani into the narrative, Trachtenberg expands the Predator mythology while maintaining connections to the broader Alien universe. The corporation’s obsession with weaponizing biological regeneration feels entirely consistent with their established character from decades of franchise lore.
Badlands proves the Predator franchise can evolve beyond “alien hunts humans” formulas by exploring Yautja psychology, ethics, and rebellion. Tessa’s death isn’t just a plot point—it’s proof that even synthetics face consequences when they prioritize corporate greed over life itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Predator: Badlands connected to the Alien franchise?
Yes, through the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the villainous megacorp central to the Alien films. While Badlands functions as a standalone story, the inclusion of Weyland-Yutani synthetics like Tessa and Thia firmly places it within the shared universe where both franchises coexist, expanding the timeline and corporate exploitation themes both series explore.
Why does Dek present Tessa’s head as a trophy?
Presenting hunt trophies is sacred Yautja tradition proving a warrior’s prowess and honor. Despite breaking his species’ code by protecting Bud, Dek still needs to demonstrate he’s earned respect through combat. Killing Tessa—a formidable synthetic in an exo-suit—and claiming her head as trophy allows Dek to return to Yautja Prime having proven himself worthy by his culture’s standards, even while fundamentally challenging those same standards through his earlier compassion.
