The Predator

The Predator is a 2018 science fiction action film directed by Shane Black, who also played Hawkins in the original Predator (1987). The film is the fourth main entry in the Predator franchise and serves as a sequel to Predator 2, ignoring the events of the AVP movies.

The film follows a group of rogue ex-soldiers and a scientist who become involved in a covert government operation to stop a genetically modified Predator from wiping out humanity. The film introduces new lore about Predator evolution, hybridization, and their long-term plans for Earth.

Release Information

Release Date: September 14, 2018 (USA)
Director: Shane Black
Writers: Shane Black, Fred Dekker
Producer: John Davis
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Runtime: 107 minutes
Rating: R
Budget: $88 million
Box Office: $160 million (worldwide)

Synopsis

After a Predator ship crashes in Mexico, Army sniper Quinn McKenna discovers alien technology and mails it home for safekeeping. The U.S. government, led by a secret task force called Project Stargazer, captures both Quinn and the recovered Predator, while also pursuing his young autistic son, Rory, who has inadvertently activated alien tech.

Meanwhile, a second, larger Upgraded Predator arrives on Earth to eliminate the captured Predator and retrieve stolen genetic material. Quinn teams up with a group of military outcasts and evolutionary biologist Dr. Casey Bracket to stop the creatures.

As the Upgraded Predator reveals that humanity is being targeted for extinction, the team must stop a potential planetary invasion and uncover the real reason the Yautja are evolving.

Main Cast

Boyd Holbrook as Quinn McKenna
Olivia Munn as Dr. Casey Bracket
Jacob Tremblay as Rory McKenna
Sterling K. Brown as Traeger
Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska Williams
Keegan-Michael Key as Coyle
Thomas Jane as Baxley
Alfie Allen as Lynch
Augusto Aguilera as Nettles
Brian A. Prince as the Fugitive Predator
Kyle Strauts as the Upgraded Predator

Characters

Quinn McKenna: A skilled sniper and the film's protagonist. He becomes entangled with the Predator conflict after discovering alien tech.
Rory McKenna: Quinn's autistic son, whose advanced cognitive abilities allow him to interpret and use Predator technology.
Dr. Casey Bracket: An evolutionary biologist recruited by Stargazer to study the captured Predator.
Nebraska and the Loonies: A team of former soldiers with PTSD and criminal records who assist Quinn in fighting the Predators.
Traeger: Head of Project Stargazer, obsessed with weaponizing alien technology.

Predators and Technology

The film introduces multiple Predator factions and evolutionary advancements.

Fugitive Predator: A renegade Yautja attempting to warn humanity about the impending threat.
Upgraded Predator: A genetically enhanced Predator who incorporates DNA from other species, making him stronger, faster, and resistant to conventional weapons.

New Yautja technologies introduced:

DNA splicing and hybridization
Predator hounds
New plasma caster models and armor systems
Predator Killer suit — a human-operated, Yautja-inspired exosuit intended to defend Earth

Themes

Evolution and Hybridization: The film explores how the Yautja are using DNA from other species, including humans, to improve themselves.
Neurodivergence as Superpower: Rory's autism is portrayed as the next step in human evolution, attracting Predator interest.
Military Secrecy and Exploitation: Government agencies seek to reverse-engineer Predator tech for military gain.
Legacy and Survival: The Fugitive Predator tries to save humanity, diverging from the typical Yautja hunt dynamic.

Production

Directed by Shane Black, a writer known for his work on Lethal Weapon and Iron Man 3, the film aimed to blend horror, action, and dark comedy. The script underwent multiple rewrites and reshoots, with the third act significantly altered late in production.

Creature effects were managed by Amalgamated Dynamics Inc. (ADI). The Upgraded Predator was mostly CGI, while the Fugitive was portrayed using a practical suit.

Reception

The Predator received mixed to negative reviews. Critics praised some performances and the return of gory action but criticized the inconsistent tone, humor, and confusing plot developments.

Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
Metacritic: 48/100
CinemaScore: C+

The film underperformed at the box office relative to expectations, though it generated interest in future Predator spin-offs and alternate timelines.

Legacy

Introduced the concept of Yautja hybridization and internal rebellion
Added the Predator Killer suit concept for human defense
Expanded the Stargazer organization and hinted at deeper Earth-Yautja history
Opened narrative paths for future Earth-centered or crossover sequels

External Links

The Predator (film)

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