--- title: "The Predator" year: 2018 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-predator" fi1m_score: 48 critics_score: 51 critics_reviews: 29 published: "2026-09-19T16:58:13.539779+00:00" updated: "2026-09-19T16:58:14.829931+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Predator (2018) Directed by Shane Black · 1h 47m · MPA R · Science Fiction, Action, Thriller **Fi1m score: 48** · Critics 51 from 29 reviews *In a sentence:* The galaxy’s finest hunter comes to Earth and is upstaged by a bus full of jokes > Shane Black’s sequel is funny for stretches and never once frightening, and its parts do not join. A strong cast trades insults on a bus while the creature waits in a lab; when they finally meet, the lights go out. ## Synopsis Army sniper Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) is on a job in the jungle when a spacecraft crashes beside him and its occupant kills his team. He takes the alien’s mask and gauntlet and posts them home, where they land with his son Rory (Jacob Tremblay), a boy on the autism spectrum who treats them as a puzzle to solve. Government agent Traeger (Sterling K. Brown) carts the creature off to a laboratory, has McKenna declared unstable and puts him on a bus with a group of veterans, among them Nebraska Williams (Trevante Rhodes), Coyle (Keegan-Michael Key) and Baxley (Thomas Jane). Biologist Casey Brackett (Olivia Munn) is brought in to examine the specimen. It wakes up. With Halloween coming, Rory puts on the mask. ## Review Shane Black was in the original [*Predator*](https://film.one/film/predator) in 1987, as the soldier who told the dirty jokes, and he has come back to the series thirty-one years later with the jokes intact. He and his co-writer Fred Dekker have a plan that sounds workable on paper: bring the creature out of the jungle and into an American town, surround it with a busload of damaged soldiers who talk the way Black’s characters talk, and put a boy at the centre of it. What reached the screen is often funny, not once frightening, and put together as if the reels had been shuffled. It runs 107 minutes and spends most of them talking. The bus is the good part. Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) is dumped among a group of veterans on their way to a psychiatric hospital, and Black gives them the scene he writes best: men insulting each other with affection in a confined space. Trevante Rhodes plays Nebraska Williams as the calm one, Keegan-Michael Key is the loud one, and Thomas Jane and Alfie Allen fill in around them. We laughed, a lot, in that first stretch, and then we felt uneasy about it, because the biggest laughs come from Baxley’s Tourette’s and from a running gag about a man’s suicide attempt, and the film never decides whether it is laughing with these men or at them. Holbrook is the flattest thing on the bus; he has the jaw and the scowl but not the timing, and the picture treats him as its lead for a reason we could not find. Sterling K. Brown has a better time as Traeger, the government man who has the creature in a tank and a stick of gum in his mouth in every scene. He plays the villain as a man who finds the whole business amusing, and he is the only performer who seems to have understood what the film is going for. Olivia Munn is not so lucky. Her Casey Brackett is introduced as an evolutionary biologist, is out of her clothes within the same reel, and is never afterwards allowed to do any biology; she is handed a gun instead. Jacob Tremblay’s Rory is meant to be the film’s heart, and the film’s idea about him, that autism is the next step in human evolution and therefore of interest to visiting hunters, is the sort of thing that sounds kind and is not. The creature is well served for exactly one sequence. Brian A. Prince wears the suit, and when the thing wakes in Martin Whist’s white, over-lit laboratory and starts taking the staff apart, Larry Fong shoots it in full light and lets us see every move. It is the best action in the film and the only time the hunter gets to hunt. After that the film turns the lights down and never turns them back up. That is where it comes apart. Harry B. Miller III and Billy Weber have cut a final hour in which scenes end before they finish and characters turn up in places we did not see them go. At least one of the soldiers leaves the film without the film appearing to notice. Fong shoots the last act so dark that when bodies start falling we could not always tell whose they were, and by the last twenty minutes we had stopped trying. We were not angry, exactly; we were checking the time, which for a film about being hunted is the worse verdict. Henry Jackman’s score brings back the old brass fanfare at intervals, and each time it reminded us of a film that knew how to stage a fight in the dark. Black’s own standard is high. [*Kiss Kiss Bang Bang*](https://film.one/film/kiss-kiss-bang-bang) and *The Nice Guys* were tight, cheerful pictures in which every quip belonged to a person and every scene led to the next. This is his loosest film by a distance, and the looseness is not the charming kind. The 1987 original was a plain thriller about men who discover they are the prey; this one never lets that fear in, because somebody is always talking. See it for the bus if an hour of soldiers trading insults sounds like an evening, and expect the alien to be an afterthought. At home you can turn the brightness up, which helps with the last act and nothing else. *Fi1m score 48, published 19 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics agree on what The Predator is: a loud, gory, wisecracking throwback to the kind of action film Shane Black wrote in the late 1980s. They disagree, almost down the middle, about whether that is a good thing. Those who enjoy it praise the pace, the ragtag squad of misfit soldiers and the profane banter between them, and several say it is the best entry since the original. Even the harshest reviews grant that the creature effects and the dismemberment are done with some relish. The reservations gather around the plot, which is widely called muddled or incoherent, and around the jokes, which many feel smother any menace. Several reviews object to the handling of Olivia Munn’s biologist and to the treatment of the soldiers’ mental illness as comic relief. The spread is wide: The Times finds it fantastically dull, IndieWire calls it the first bad film of Black’s career, and Vulture argues the franchise only works played straight. ### Reviews we read (29) - **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/4/3): Shane Black delivers a wilfully offensive, machismo-driven reboot that pays homage to the original's nastiness and offers good clean fun. The critic notes its rough edges are intentional but praises the updated rogue's gallery of characters and the throwback VHS-style gore. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-predator) - **RogerEbert.com**, Brian Tallerico (75/100, inferred): The critic finds Shane Black's film a fun, brutal action machine with razor-sharp pacing and a charismatic cast that understands what audiences want from a Predator movie. The tone management and set pieces are singled out for praise, though the climax loses some steam. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-predator-2018) - **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (70/100, inferred): Shane Black's puckish nihilism fits the franchise perfectly; the film features fleet-footed setup, mordantly funny gags and coherent action, though editing is dodgy and some character elements feel retrograde. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-predator/) - **The AV Club**, A.A. Dowd (B-): The film captures the spirit of a late-80s Shane Black action movie with cartoonish violence, profane banter and a ragtag cast of misfits that makes it fun and refreshing in its nostalgic déjà vu, though it lacks the original's intensity. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/1989-called-and-it-wants-its-predator-sequel-back-1828909639) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Jordan Mintzer (70/100, inferred): Shane Black's take on the franchise is bigger, meaner, gorier and funnier, with snappy dialogue, gross-out gags and strong ensemble camaraderie that mostly pays off despite going over the top. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/predator-review-1140779/) - **The Guardian** (65/100, inferred): Shane Black's revamp of the Predator series is a mostly enjoyable, unrestrained return that balances snappy humor and relentless action for fun if somewhat forgettable results. It offers retro pleasures as a knowing hark back to a less restrictive era of blockbuster cinema. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/07/the-predator-review-reboot-shane-black) - **Total Film** (65/100, inferred): Fast, furious, fun and somewhat forgettable, this is a sequel-slash-homage with bright green blood running through its veins. Superior to the AVP films but the original Predator remains the definite article. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-predator-review/) - **Empire**, Dan Jolin (60/100, inferred): Uneven and occasionally muddled with sloppy action, but there is enough bloody '80s-style fun and sardonic character interplay for fans. Nostalgia-button mashing and gory violence provide appeal despite empathy issues. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/predator-3-review/) - **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (★★★): The reboot succeeds on a slam-bang visceral level with machismo, stunts and gory dismemberment but feels incoherent and enervating due to fuzzy plotting and cheesy dialogue. It earns points for urban setting and nods to prior films yet lacks sharper narrative focus. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/the-predator-review-big-noisy-busy-and-brash/) - **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (3 out of 5 stars): Black's reboot is a so-so, aggressively pacy meta update overloaded with smug one-liners and gore, exactly the kind of flick he would have made 30 years ago. It features hard-edged turns like Olivia Munn's biologist but remains unlikely to spawn many sequels. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-predator-1) - **The Independent** (40/100, inferred): The film offers some chuckles and gore but fails to justify rebooting the franchise. Shane Black struggles to balance action-comedy, horror, and a Spielberg-like fable about a child connecting with aliens. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-predator-review-franchise-cast-shane-black-olivia-munn-a8535001.html) - **The New York Times**, Ben Kenigsberg (40/100, inferred): The film splits the difference between snark, self-parody, and fan-service backstory but squelches the menace with added genetics and climate-change elements. The comic scene involving Olivia Munn's character is singled out for leaving a bad aftertaste. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/13/movies/the-predator-review.html) - **The Telegraph** (2/5): Shane Black's wisecracking sequel turns the franchise into a shrill, murky, retrograde bore whose punchy ideas get lost in a haywire plot. The barrage of imbecilic wisecracks and F-bombs drowns out any potential. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/predator-review-shane-blacks-wisecracking-sequel-murky-retrograde/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (35/100, inferred): Shane Black's snarky, gory reboot offers plentiful punchlines but no scares and results in a whiplash-inducing muddle of bro camaraderie and violence. The handling of the female lead and real-world casting controversy are singled out as particularly resonant. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-the-predator-review-20180912-story.html) - **Variety**, Dennis Harvey (30/100, inferred): Shane Black's reboot is an exhaustingly energetic mess that is loud, silly, borderline senseless, and without real rooting value or humor on its source material. The frantic comic-book action and lack of coherent plot or credible characters are singled out for complaint. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/the-predator-review-1202931727/) - **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (20/100, inferred): This reboot fails due to a convoluted plot and unlikeable lead, treating the audience with no respect. The original's simple premise is lost amid two Predators, non-PC banter, and a predictable twist. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-predator-review-shane-blacks-action-flick-treats-its-audience-with-no-respect-a3935941.html) - **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (20/100, inferred): Shane Black's compromised mess is the first bad film of his career; one can see what he was going for but the result is a lifeless bore. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-predator-review-2018-tiff-1202001424/) - **Vulture**, Charlie Jane Anders (20/100, inferred): The film wrongly thinks it is an action-comedy and delivers a barrage of misplaced, unfunny jokes that derail the premise; the original succeeded by playing it straight as a taut thriller. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2018/09/the-predator-biggest-flaw-is-that-it-thinks-its-a-comedy.html) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★☆☆☆☆): Despite exciting elements like spaceships, jungle battles and a stacked cast, the film is utterly and fantastically dull with no central unifying idea or narrative logic. Scenes follow scenes without apparent motivation, resulting in a malformed abomination. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/film-review-the-predator-n3f700lzd) - **The Playlist**, Victor Stiff (B+): The critic sees it as an enjoyable popcorn flick with Shane Black's signature flair, mixing action, violence, jokes, and sentimentality. Singles out the misfit soldiers and over-the-top villain for praise. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/shane-black-predator-review-20180907/) - **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (75/100, inferred): The critic calls the reboot old-fashioned monster-movie fun and praises Shane Black for delivering cheesy, effortless entertainment with humor from the ragtag group of soldiers and strong special effects. They single out the vivid action sequences and Black's instinctive handling of the material for praise. [Read](https://deadline.com/video/the-predator-review-olivia-munn-shane-black-sterling-k-brown/) - **Polygon**, Andrew Todd (75/100, inferred): Shane Black’s R-rated sequel reworks the franchise with meta-comedy, creative bloody kills, and cool sci-fi nonsense that fans will adore. It’s a fun, affectionate romp overall, despite some narrative and character issues. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/7/17832404/the-predator-review-tiff-2018/) - **Consequence** (70/100, inferred): Black and Dekker deliver a boisterous, stupidly fun entry that’s the most Shane Black movie yet, packed with carnage and character actors. It’s messy but pure popcorn entertainment for fans of his style. [Read](https://consequence.net/2018/09/film-review-the-predator/) - **Digital Spy**, Hugh Armitage (70/100, inferred): The critic calls it a flawed actioner that benefits from a strong cast and Shane Black's witty dialogue, making it the best since the original; singles out the charismatic performances but notes issues with coherence and not being as smart as it aims to be. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a865504/the-predator-review-shane-black/) - **/Film**, Chris Evangelista (6.5/10): The critic finds the film a funny but flawed action-comedy that entertains while watching despite plot issues and flat jokes. Praises the infectious fun and Shane Black's humor. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/560826/the-predator-review/) - **Collider**, Perri Nemiroff (C+): The film is a messy mixed bag with sparks of Black’s humor but feels misguided and semi-incoherent due to editing and plot holes. The cast brings charm to the irreverent crew, though excessive gore and tone issues detract. [Read](https://collider.com/the-predator-review/) - **The Ringer**, Adam Nayman (40/100, inferred): The chaotic reboot lacks Schwarzenegger and subtext, borrowing the best elements while introducing new flaws like convoluted plotting and no compelling characters. It’s mean-spirited and often obnoxious despite some laughs. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2018/09/13/movies/the-predator-boyd-holbrook-olivia-munn-review) - **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (2 out of 5): The critic finds the film tone-deaf, sloppily written, and indifferently directed, with too many unlikeable characters and unfunny jokes; praises the solid Predator effects and ample gore but overall recommends letting the franchise rest. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-predator-review/) - **The Wrap**, William Bibbiani (20/100, inferred): The critic deems the film insipid and superficial, the worst in the series without “Alien vs.” in the title, faulting its nonstop quips, superficial treatment of mental illness, and troubling attitudes toward women and characters. They single out the reduction of damaged soldiers to comic-relief quip machines for complaint. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/the-predator-film-review-shane-black-olivia-munn-2018/) ## Details - **Director:** Shane Black - **Director:** Shane Black - **Writer:** Fred Dekker, Shane Black - **Cinematography:** Larry Fong - **Editor:** Billy Weber, Harry B. Miller III - **Music:** Henry Jackman - **Production design:** Martin Whist - **Costume design:** Tish Monaghan - **Producer:** John Davis - **Cast:** Boyd Holbrook as Quinn McKenna; Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska Williams; Sterling K. Brown as Traeger; Jacob Tremblay as Rory McKenna; Keegan-Michael Key as Coyle; Olivia Munn as Casey Brackett; Thomas Jane as Baxley; Alfie Allen as Lynch - **Runtime:** 1h 47m - **Certificate (MPA):** R - **Release (the US):** 14 September 2018 - **Genres:** Science Fiction, Action, Thriller - **Budget:** $88 million - **Box office:** $161 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50_Ala5BKBo ## Where to watch in the US - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Apple TV: rent $4.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd *Checked 2026-09-19.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Predator* (1987), Fi1m 84: The one this keeps quoting; a plain thriller that trusts silence and a jungle. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/predator.md) - *The Monster Squad* (1987): Black and Dekker’s earlier script: kids versus monsters, and the tone holds throughout. - *The Nice Guys* (2016): Black’s banter with the discipline this lacks; two idiots, one case, every line lands. - *Attack the Block* (2011), Fi1m 84: Aliens in a south London tower block; funny, frightening, and done in ninety minutes. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/attack-the-block.md) - *Tremors* (1990), Fi1m 82: Small town, big creatures, a cast that likes each other; the model for this bus. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/tremors.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-predator