The Predator franchise has just gotten itself another insane addition to the squad with Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Killer of Killers. Starring Lindsay LaVanchy and Louis Ozawa, the film was released on Hulu recently and has been praised left and right by critics. It has a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which calls it a “lean, mean, and just plain awesome addition to the iconic sci-fi franchise.”
Some may have noticed that Killers of Killers kind of resembles a blast from the franchise’s past—Adrien Brody’s 2010 instalment, Predators. Don’t believe it? Read on to find out how the new film pays homage to the forgotten sequel.
‘Predator: Killers of Killers’ – Resemblance to ‘Predators‘
The last time Dan Trachtenberg was involved in the franchise was in 2022. Just like the recent release, Prey also had the critics raving on and on about the filmmaker and his skill set.
Which is why, when Trachtenberg was announced to be directing two more films in the franchise, Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands, fans couldn’t have been more excited. And it looks like he has just proven why the iconic film series is in safe hands.
Coming to Killer of Killers, let’s take a look at how it exactly pays a noticeable tribute to Nimród Antal‘s Predators. Sure, the two films are unique in their own ways, but both of them feature three Predators on the hunt for humanity’s dangerous warriors. These warriors, in return, somehow end up on the alien planets under the reign of the Predators.
In Killer of Killers, the three Predators are differently themed, which reminds us of the “Super Predator” Yautjas in Adrien Brody‘s film. The Yautja segments in the film focus on the hunters targeting specific warriors from a particular time – a subtle reminder of the plot of Predators.
Moreover, there is the question of the Predators’ character designs in the animated movie, which resemble the trio from Predators. The film introduces a Berserker-type in “The Shield” segment, a Tracker in “The Sword,” and a Falconer in “The Bullet” – all mirroring their 2010 counterparts not just in style, but in essence.
Whether all of this was a deliberate move or a mind-blowing coincidence, we can’t say for sure. However, it really did take us on a trip down memory lane and remind us of a film that, although critics didn’t like it, still serves as a great addition to the franchise.
What are the critics saying about Predator: Killer of Killers?
Killer of Killers hit Hulu on June 06, and since then, there has been a wave of positive words for the film, the voice actors, and Trachtenberg’s direction. Critics are praising it for its violence, gore, visuals, and animation, among so much more.
ComingSoon.net had a glowing review for the flick, calling it “the best Predator movie in decades.” Other critics praised the film for still bringing something new to the franchise that has been going on for years now, all while sticking to its roots and appealing to the OG fans.
Click here to read FandomWire’s review of Killer of Killers.
It looks like Trachtenberg is 2/2 when it comes to his contributions to the film series. However, the success rate only means that there is a whole lot of responsibility on his shoulders to make the next instalment even better, taking the craziness to an all-time high.
Will Predator: Badlands, which will be released later this year, have the same impact as Killer of Killers? Or will it fall short? Guess we will find out soon enough.
Stream Predator: Killer of Killers on Hulu. Predators is streaming on Hulu/Disney+.
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