John McTiernan’s 1987 action-horror-sci-fi classic Predator is one of the seminal films of the 1980s, and it still holds up remarkably well today. The story follows an elite military squad on a rescue mission in a Central American jungle, only to be hunted by a deadly alien. The film spawned a franchise that includes seven films, numerous comic books, video games, and novels.
Recently, I introduced my nephew to Predator for the first time, and it went over like gangbusters. The film’s incredibly well-choreographed action scenes, pitch-perfect cast, and amazing creature design by Stan Winston feel just as fresh today as they did upon the film’s release. However, one aspect that stood out as feeling dated during my latest rewatch was the handling of the lone female character, Anna, who is sidelined during all of the action and has no importance to the overall narrative.
Predator seamlessly blends genres, making it feel authentic to the story. The first act starts as a pure action rescue film, then slowly transitions to a horror movie as the Predator picks off the team one by one, before culminating in an epic battle for the ages as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch goes single-handedly against the alien.
As much as Predator holds up after almost four decades, it is undoubtedly a film of the ’80s. From its unapologetic action and violence to its over-the-top masculinity, and cringy slurs in the dialogue, there are many elements the film wouldn’t get away with if it were made today. However, rewatching the film for the first time since the prequel Prey was released, what really stood up this time was how well the film still works.
Predator is widely regarded as one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best films, and its success has led to the announcement of two more Predator films in production. Following the success of Prey, a prequel set in 1719 featuring a young Comanche protagonist, it’s clear that the franchise is still going strong.