The greatest hunters in the universe track the down most worthy prey. The Predators are a cunning species. With a combination of advanced weapons and technology, bladed weaponry, hunting skills, and an honor code, Predators are not only efficient hunters, but killers. In order to prove their worth, young Predators must hunt, kill, then make trophies of their prey. It’s what gets them elevated in their society. The more dangerous the prey, the bigger the win and the bigger the acknowledgement. Over the years, Predators have fought all kinds of warriors on Earth and aliens across the stars. But despite, their skills and weapons, there seems to be a problem with their stories. Especially the ones seen in film. The movies do a great job in showing how effective the Predators are throughout the movie. But when those stories come down to the final conflict, a common issue is seen in all of the Predator movies. They are formidable but that doesn’t mean they win all the time…or ever.
*Spoilers for Predator: Killer of Killers
The first time audiences saw a Predator come in conflict with worthy prey was none other than Dutch and his unit of soldiers. They were given the time to shine to showcase how formidable they are. Which made the Predator’s killing of them that much more impressive. He was able to take them all out until the inevitable clash with Dutch. The two exchanged deception and fists until Dutch was able to finish the Predator off at the end. That first film was an exception but in a way, began the trend. The next one to clash with a Predator was Lieutenant Harrigan in Predator 2. The Predator made it personal when he killed a close friend to Harrigan. The relentless pursuit of the alien put them at odds until it came to blows. After nearly killing it, the Predator then put his sights on the lieutenant. After close calls, they eventually fought and Harrigan came out on top using a weapon of the Predator. Then the anticipated matchups with the Xenomorphs arrived. Both films showed more than capable Predators. Their honed skills helped them defeat multiple Aliens. However, each film saw all the Predators meet a demise. The follow-up movies, Predators and The Predator, fell in the same trap. These ones were a bit more questionable since the main Predators in those films were an evolved or upgraded version of the species. However, each still don’t make it to the end of the movies. Did not stand over their prey at the end. Prey was the same trope. Despite killing multiple capable soldiers and Comanche warriors, the Predator was still defeated. All the Predators across their eras in Predator: Killer of Killers found perfect prey to target. Fight like hell using their own weapons but at the end of each of their stories, still fell. All these movies, all these stories had strong, formidable Predators but none survived till the very end. They had their killstreak but the final kill, the final win was something they could never achieve. Should it be time for that to change?
The lore of the species suggests these are terrifying and successful hunters. When the audiences see them for the first time, most of the Predators are already proven. A hunt on Earth just escalates their status. Yet what audiences get, are their final hunts which lead to their deaths. Several Predators were already proven by the time audiences got to meet them, which means their victories were behind them. By having a story that lives out on the big screen where Predators do not win, in a way, diminishes their character. For being capable hunters, their losses in film counteract that character trait. Being a hunter that makes trophies of the toughest prey in all the universe is a defining aspect of their character and yet it feels as if it gets disrespected. Their final victory is never seen to completion. They do most of the job but never take it home. Fans of the universe know that Predators are nearly perfect killing machines, capable of taking out the strongest of enemies. But that is hard to come by in film. It keeps things safe and at this point, predictable for the franchise. A refreshing plot point not only for the franchise but for the genre will be if a Predator does seek out a tough opponent and after spilling each other’s blood, the Predator finally comes out on top.
This changed a bit in Predator: Killer of Killers when the final Predator survived. He didn’t kill the prey he wanted to make trophies of but he did survive. In fact, was in a very adrenaline-fueled ending shot. The next film in the franchise, Predator: Badlands, will again change things up. A Predator will be the protagonist of the film. Although it doesn’t guarantee that the Predator will survive till the end, it opens up the opportunity at least.
The Predator species are a staple of the sci-fi genre. Their fascination to hunt tough prey is a known thing. Each movie gives them new and exciting weapons, tactics, and methods to how they take out their prey. It’s one of the elements that make each Predator and Predator movie stand out. But despite that, they all meet the same end. They have the advantage but never have a victory because of it. Predators need to have victories that are seen. It’s crucial to who they are.
