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New Movies: Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) by Dan Trachtenberg, Joshua Wassun: An Animated Anthology of Hunts Through History

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Jun 6
  • 10 min read

Predator: Killer of Killers is an original adult animated anthology film that expands the Predator universe by chronicling three distinct hunts across various historical eras. Co-directed by Prey's Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung, the film follows formidable human warriors from the Viking Age, feudal Japan, and World War II, as they become the hunted for different, uniquely designed Predators. With a framing narrative that ties these disparate tales together, it delves into the mythos of the Yautja, offering brutal action, diverse settings, and a fresh, visually striking take on the iconic franchise, all while setting up future narrative directions.

Short Summary

Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology film directed by Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung. It features three brutal, distinct stories of Predator hunts set in different historical periods: the Viking Age, feudal Japan, and World War II. Praised for its inventive storytelling, stunning animation, and expansion of the Predator lore, it serves as a fresh, action-packed entry in the franchise, streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Detailed Summary

From the creative mind behind the critically acclaimed Prey, Dan Trachtenberg, comes Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), co-directed with Joshua Wassung. This groundbreaking animated anthology film takes viewers on a visceral journey across three distinct historical epochs, each featuring a new breed of human warrior encountering the galaxy's ultimate hunters, the Yautja (Predators). The film presents "The Shield," a Viking tale of vengeance; "The Sword," a feudal Japan narrative of samurai rivalry; and "The Bullet," a World War II story of an aspiring pilot. Each segment introduces unique Predator designs and fighting styles, showcasing how different human cultures grapple with the alien threat. While independently compelling, these stories are woven together by an overarching frame narrative, hinting at deeper Predator lore and setting the stage for future franchise developments, including the upcoming live-action film Predator: Badlands. Released directly to streaming on Hulu and Disney+, Killer of Killers delivers the brutal action and suspense expected from the franchise, wrapped in a visually distinct animated package.

Plot Summary

  • Anthology Structure: The film is presented as an anthology, with three distinct chapters set in different historical periods, connected by an overarching frame narrative.

  • "The Shield" (841 A.D., Viking Age): Follows Ursa, a Viking chieftain, and her son Anders, on a quest for revenge against King Zoran. Their hunt is interrupted by a hulking, "Grendel-like" Predator wielding a sonic blaster, leading to a brutal clash in the snowy Scandinavian landscape.

  • "The Sword" (1629, Feudal Japan): Centers on the rivalry between samurai brothers Kenji and Kiyoshi. Their battle for succession is interrupted by a lean, graceful, sword-wielding Predator with a spear on a whip-like chain, forcing the brothers to confront an unexpected foe.

  • "The Bullet" (WWII Era, near Vichy France): Introduces John Torres, a gifted mechanic aspiring to be a fighter pilot, under the command of Captain Vandy (voiced by Michael Biehn). Torres encounters a cloaked Predator piloting an attack spaceship, leading to aerial combat and a desperate fight for survival. This Predator is described as a "battle ace beast" with a smooth dome and various grappling devices.

  • Connecting Narrative and Arena: The three seemingly disparate stories converge in a surprise final act. Ursa, Kenji, and Torres find themselves imprisoned together on a Yautja vessel, collared and forced into an arena to fight for survival against a savage alien beast and other Predators, hinting at a grander Predator game or purpose. This concluding segment introduces new Predator lore and sets up potential future installments.

Director's Vision

Dan Trachtenberg, building on the success of Prey, alongside co-director Joshua Wassung (from animation company The Third Floor), aimed to significantly expand the Predator mythos through an innovative animated anthology format.

  • Historical Diversity and Anthology: The core vision was to explore Predator hunts across vastly different historical time periods, a concept fans have long desired. The anthology structure allowed for diverse fighting styles, human cultures, and Predator designs within a single film.

  • Visual Reinvention through Animation: Utilizing animation allowed them to portray brutal action and unique creature designs that might be logistically or financially challenging in live-action. The animation style is visually striking, not striving for photo-realism but delivering realistic violence and gore, inspired by concept art and animation like Arcane.

  • Brutal and Visceral Action: The directors ensured the film would be as brutal and visually stunning as any live-action Predator entry, with explicit depictions of carnage, dismemberments, and intense combat sequences.

  • Expanding Predator Lore: The film was designed to introduce intriguing new aspects of Predator lore, particularly in its connective final act, setting up future directions for the franchise beyond Prey and Badlands.

  • Emotional and Character-Driven Moments: Despite the focus on action, Trachtenberg and Wassung aimed to inject heart and humor, ensuring the human protagonists' plights were quickly relatable, making the mayhem more impactful. Each segment has a distinct tone and visual feel (e.g., dark and chilly for Vikings, springtime for Japan).

  • Direct-to-Streaming Strategy: The animated format allowed for a direct-to-streaming release (Hulu/Disney+), making the film immediately accessible to a broad audience.

Themes

  • The Hunt and Survival: Central to the Predator franchise, the film explores the primal struggle for survival against a technologically superior, apex predator across different historical contexts.

  • Warrior Spirit and Adaptation: Each segment showcases different human warrior cultures and their unique fighting styles and cunning in facing the alien threat, emphasizing human adaptability and resilience.

  • Vengeance and Loyalty: Themes of familial revenge (Viking), fraternal rivalry (Samurai), and individual ambition (WWII pilot) drive the human protagonists, often intertwining with their encounters with the Predators.

  • The Nature of the "Ultimate Killer": The title itself, "Killer of Killers," suggests a deeper exploration of the Predator's role in the galaxy, hinting at their grander purpose beyond mere sport.

  • Mythos Expansion: The film delves into the broader lore of the Yautja, particularly in its culminating segment, suggesting a more complex society or game that ties different hunts together.

  • Honor and Brute Force: The different human and Predator fighting styles allow for a contrast between honor-bound combat and raw, technologically enhanced brutality.

Key Success Factors

  • Dan Trachtenberg's Involvement: His acclaimed direction of Prey brought immediate credibility and anticipation to this project, signaling a new direction for the franchise.

  • Innovative Animated Format: The first animated Predator film, allowing for creative freedom in creature design, action sequences, and historical settings that might be difficult or expensive in live-action.

  • Anthology Storytelling: Offering three distinct, action-packed stories within a single film provides variety and keeps the momentum brisk, appealing to different fan interests.

  • High Critical Acclaim: The film debuted with exceptionally high Rotten Tomatoes scores, outperforming nearly every other Predator film, solidifying its artistic merit and fan appeal.

  • Expansion of Lore: The final act's connection of the three stories and the introduction of new Predator lore are seen as a promising direction for the franchise's future.

  • Brutal and Visually Stunning Action: Critics praised the animation for its visceral violence and unique visual style across the different historical periods.

  • Direct-to-Streaming Release: Leveraging platforms like Hulu and Disney+ for immediate and wide accessibility.

Critics Reception

Predator: Killer of Killers has received overwhelmingly positive critical reception, positioning it as one of the best entries in the franchise.

  • Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a 96% Fresh rating based on multiple critic reviews (as of June 6, 2025), outperforming even Prey (94%) and the original Predator (80%).

  • ComingSoon.net: Rated it 8/10, calling it "the best Predator movie in decades" and highlighting its historical settings, brutal violence, and unique anthology format.

  • Collider: Praised it as "The Most Visually Striking Predator Film Yet," and lauded Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung for continuing to "usher in a new golden age for the bloody franchise." They highlighted the thrilling stories, unique Predators, and stunning animation.

  • SlashFilm: Described it as "The Franchise Goes Animated To Spectacular Results," noting its vital, brutal, and visually stunning nature, putting "countless bigger-budget blockbusters to shame." They particularly praised the distinct tones and animation style of each chapter.

  • JoBlo.com: Called it "the best entry since John McTiernan's 1987 original," appreciating its anthology approach, intriguing connective twist, and setting up new directions for the franchise.

  • Screen Rant: While generally positive about its intriguing lore and unique fighting styles, they noted the anthology structure felt "messy and rushed," particularly the final act, and criticized its "blatant setup for a sequel."

Overall Summary: Critics universally laud Predator: Killer of Killers for its inventive animated format, brutal action, and successful expansion of the Predator universe. Dan Trachtenberg's continued influence is celebrated, with many deeming it a highlight of the franchise. While some minor criticisms exist regarding the pacing of the anthology's conclusion, the film's overall critical reception is exceptionally strong.

Reviews

Audience reviews are still accumulating due to the recent release, but early buzz is highly positive, mirroring critical reception. Fans appreciate the creative risks taken with the animated format and the exploration of new historical periods.

  • Early Fan Reactions: Many fans express excitement for the anthology format, the unique Predator designs, and the brutal action. Those who enjoyed Prey are particularly enthusiastic about Trachtenberg's continued vision for the franchise.

  • Anticipation for Lore Expansion: The ending, which ties the segments together and sets up future storylines, has generated significant discussion and anticipation for Predator: Badlands and other potential entries.

Overall Summary: While formal audience scores are still developing, the immediate reaction from fans and early viewers aligns with the positive critical consensus, highlighting the film's engaging action, fresh approach, and compelling expansion of the Predator universe.

Production Summary

Predator: Killer of Killers is an adult animated anthology film developed simultaneously with Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung, written by Micho Robert Rutare (story by Trachtenberg and Rutare), and animated by The Third Floor. It was produced by 20th Century Studios, with John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, and Ben Rosenblatt as producers.

Production Companies

  • 20th Century Studios

  • The Third Floor (animation services)

Sales Companies

As a direct-to-streaming release on Hulu and Disney+, traditional "sales companies" in the context of theatrical distribution are less applicable. The film's distribution is handled internally by Disney's streaming divisions.

Distribution Companies

  • Hulu (United States streaming)

  • Disney+ (International streaming)

Release date on streaming

Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) premiered on June 6, 2025, exclusively on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally.

Why to recommend this movie

  • Fresh Take on a Classic Franchise: It injects new life into the Predator series with its innovative animated anthology format and diverse historical settings.

  • High-Quality Animation: The animation is praised for being brutal, visually stunning, and effectively conveying the intensity of the Predator hunts.

  • Expands Predator Lore: The film deepens the understanding of the Yautja and their hunting traditions, with a compelling frame narrative that sets up future stories.

  • Dan Trachtenberg's Vision: Coming from the director of Prey, it carries the same level of creative ambition and understanding of what makes a Predator story great.

  • Action-Packed and Visceral: It delivers on the franchise's promise of relentless, violent action, providing a thrilling ride for fans.

  • Accessible on Streaming: Its direct-to-streaming release makes it incredibly easy for a wide audience to watch immediately.

Why to Watch Movie

  • If you loved Prey: Dan Trachtenberg's involvement ensures a similar level of quality and a fresh perspective on the franchise.

  • For fans of the Predator franchise: It offers new lore, unique Predator designs, and exciting hunts across different historical periods, fulfilling long-held fan desires.

  • If you enjoy animated action films for adults: The animation is top-notch and allows for a level of brutality and visual creativity that might be difficult in live-action.

  • To see the franchise push boundaries: It's a bold departure in format and storytelling for the Predator universe.

  • For a quick, brutal, and engaging watch: At around 90 minutes, it's a concise yet impactful experience with constant action.

Movie Trend

Animated Franchise Expansion & Historical Genre Blending: Predator: Killer of Killers exemplifies two key movie trends:

  1. Animated Franchise Expansion: Major studios are increasingly using animation to explore new facets of established live-action franchises, allowing for creative freedom, diverse storytelling, and often more cost-effective production for niche concepts or historical settings. This allows for lore expansion and character development without the constraints of live-action budgets or continuity.

  2. Historical Genre Blending: Following the success of Prey, there's a continued interest in placing sci-fi/horror creatures or concepts into diverse historical periods, creating compelling genre blends that explore how different human cultures would contend with extraordinary threats.

Social Trend

Demand for Franchise Lore Deepening & Accessible Content: This film taps into the social trend of audiences desiring deeper lore and expanded universes for their beloved franchises, moving beyond simple sequels. Fans are eager to see unexplored corners of fictional worlds and understand the broader context of their favorite creatures. Additionally, the direct-to-streaming release reflects the ongoing social trend of consumers valuing immediate accessibility and convenience for new content, allowing them to engage with popular IP from the comfort of their homes.

Final Verdict

Predator: Killer of Killers is a resounding success and a thrilling new chapter in the long-running Predator franchise. Under the guidance of Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung, this animated anthology delivers on the promise of brutal, inventive hunts across diverse historical landscapes. Its stunning animation, engaging storytelling, and intriguing lore expansion make it not only a must-watch for Predator fans but also a compelling example of how animation can revitalize and broaden established cinematic universes. It stands as a testament to creative risk-taking and firmly establishes a promising future for the Yautja.

Recommendations for film makers

  • Embrace Animation for Franchise Expansion: Consider animation as a powerful tool to explore diverse stories, historical settings, and unique character designs within established live-action franchises that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive or challenging to produce.

  • Leverage Anthology Formats: For IPs with rich lore or varied character potential, the anthology structure can be highly effective in delivering multiple compelling narratives within a single film, keeping the pace fresh and catering to different tastes.

  • Prioritize Visual Storytelling: In animated action, focus on dynamic and brutal visuals, coupled with strong sound design, to immerse the audience and convey intensity without relying solely on dialogue.

  • Deepen Existing Lore: Actively seek opportunities to expand the mythos of established universes in ways that feel organic and set up exciting future narratives, appealing to dedicated fanbases.

  • Strategic Release: For certain genre films, a direct-to-streaming release can be a highly effective way to reach a broad, engaged audience immediately, especially if it's a format shift for the franchise.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

  • Invest in Animated Spinoffs/Expansions: Recognize the value of high-quality adult animation as a robust medium for extending and enriching major franchises, offering creative freedom and reaching diverse audiences.

  • Support Visionary Directors: Continue to empower directors who have proven their ability to innovate within established IPs (like Dan Trachtenberg with Prey), allowing them to explore new formats and ideas.

  • Embrace Non-Traditional Storytelling: Be open to anthology formats and other unconventional narrative structures that can breathe new life into long-running series and appeal to modern audiences' desire for variety.

  • Capitalize on Streaming Accessibility: Leverage direct-to-streaming platforms for specific projects that might benefit from immediate global reach and bypass the complexities of traditional theatrical runs, particularly for niche or experimental content.

  • Listen to Fan Desire for Lore: Recognize and respond to audience demand for deeper dives into beloved fictional universes, offering films that expand lore and explore different historical or futuristic settings.


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