John McTiernan’s 1987s action-horror-sci-fi classic Predator is one of the seminal films of the 1980s, and I’m thrilled (and relieved) at how well it holds up. The story of an elite military squad on a rescue mission in a Central American jungle, only to be hunted by a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly alien, is widely regarded as one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best films. The movie spawned a franchise that includes seven films, numerous comic books, video games, and novels. Following the success of 2022’s Prey — a prequel set in 1719 featuring a young Comanche protagonist — 20th Century Studios recently announced two more Predator films are in production.

Recently, I introduced my nephew to Predator for the first time, and it went over like gangbusters. I was surprised at how well the film held up after 37 years. The incredibly well-choreographed action scenes, the pitch-perfect cast, and the amazing creature design by creative genius Stan Winston feel just as fresh today as they did upon the film’s release. While almost everything about the film still works incredibly well, one aspect stood out as feeling dated during my latest rewatch.

Predator Mashes Genres Seamlessly & Subverts Expectations

What Starts As A Typical ’80s Action Flick Quickly Turns Into A Nail Biting Horror Movie

The first 20 minutes of Predator play out like a typical “military squad on a dangerous mission” film. Sure, there are some great moments and hilarious Predator quotes from Arnold Schwarzenegger, but anyone watching Predator for the first time would think they were in for a generic action film. Aside from the opening scene of a spaceship cruising through space, there’s nothing to suggest that the movie will venture into science fiction. Even that sH๏τ was created in post-production to give the audience a slight hint that they were about to watch a genre film. But that’s part of Predator‘s genius.

Predator blends genres better than any film I can recall. Most movies that attempt to combine tones feel jarring or overly tongue-in-cheek. Predator does it seamlessly, making it feel authentic to the story. Credit goes to the masterful screenplay by Jim and John Thomas, who nail the structure by balancing the story and multiple genres. 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 Schwarzenegger’s Dutch goes single-handedly against the alien.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch Is One Of His Best Roles And Allows Him To Play Against Type

Dutch Is Much Smarter & More Vulnerable Than Schwarzenegger’s Usual Characters

On the surface, Dutch might seem similar to the other roles that Arnold Schwarzenegger was famous for playing at the time. He is a tough, musclebound, no-nonsense warrior with a penchant for hilarious quips. But when you strip away some of those stereotypes, Dutch is actually a much different character than the ones Schwartzennger had previously portrayed. It helps that Schwarzenegger is part of a true ensemble for the first time in his career. Surrounding him with a team and allowing him to share in camaraderie grounds his character, making him come off as more of a regular guy.

But it’s really in the film’s second half where Schwartzenner gets to showcase a new side of his persona. Dutch is not superhuman like The Terminator or the other seemingly invincible characters he played in other films. Once he begins to understand what he and his team are up against, there’s real fear and vulnerability in his performance. The extraterrestrial threat they face can’t be taken down with big muscles and bullets.

Instead, Dutch has to rely on his intelligence and, little by little, is able to figure out what he is up against. It’s fascinating to watch Schwarzenegger not have the upper hand in a battle, and that’s why Predator works so well. As the film builds to the climax, there is a real sense of unpredictability about how Dutch will ultimately win the fight.

Predator Has One Of The Best Ensemble Cast Of ’80s Action Heroes

Every Character Gets A Moment To Shine And A Memorable Death

From the moment that Dutch greets his old war buddy with “Dillion, you son of a bitch,” followed by their ridiculous strength contest, you know you’re in for a good time, especially when it comes to its ensemble. No one would argue that Predator features deeply developed characters, but what Predator does have is a game cast with amazing chemistry that knows how to make their characters memorable. It helps that the actors are a who’s who of 1980s action cinema, giving the audience an immediate connection to them.

It’s hard to pick a favorite, though I’ve always been partial to Jesse Ventura’s “Sєxual tyrannosaurus” Blain. That said, you can make a case for every member of the squad. But beyond their larger-than-life personas, each character feels real, and their relationship with one another feels authentic. Once things go south, there is real teamwork among the group and they never resort to the expected cliche of the horror genre. The unpredictableness of who will be the next casualty is arguably the movie’s greatest strength, and that all comes down to having each character stand out.

John McTiernan’s Direction And The Predator Design Take The Film To Another Level

All The Action Scenes Are Well Constructed And Full Of Suspense

It’s hard to believe that Predator was only John McTiernan’s second film, as there is such confidence and control in every element. From blending genres and constructing Predator‘s memorable action scenes and kill sequences to the exquisite sound design, there were so many opportunities for the film to falter t but McTiernan executes each piece flawlessly. However, in rewatching the film, where McTiernan truly excels is in building suspense. From the gradual reveal of the Predator and its abilities to the sense of dread and claustrophobia he creates as the characters traverse the incredible jungle set, McTiernan’s direction is masterful throughout.

However, the film wouldn’t work without having arguably the greatest creature design in cinema history. Created by Stan Winston, the Predator design is downright frightening and is one of the rare instances where a creature becomes scarier the more that it is revealed. It helps that actor Kevin Peter Hall is 7’2″ and went full throttle with his Predator performance, making him the most formidable foe Schwartzenneger has ever faced. Unlike most creature films with flimsy mythology, every single part of the Predator background feels thoroughly thought out — from its cloaking ability to its primal lust for the hunt.

Predator’s Lone Female Character Is Stereotypical And Feels Dated

After Prey Did A Fantastic Job With Its Female Protagonist, Predator’s Anna Stands Out As The Film’s One Weakness

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. Some might argue these aspects are part of Predator‘s charm and why it is so rewatchable — it’s almost like a time capsule from a different era of filmmaking.

However, rewatching the film for the first time since Prey was released, what really stood up this time was how poorly the lone female character, Anna, was handled and how dated her role feels. Anna’s sole purpose is to tell local legends about the Predator and to provide some insights into how to survive. She’s sidelined during all of the action, and her role has no importance to the overall narrative.

In contrast, Amber Midthunder’s Naru is the complete opposite in Prey. Not only is she a total badᴀss going up against a Predator, but she’s given a fully realized character arc. The movie is about proving yourself when others underestimate you and using ingenuity and wits to defeat a much stronger opponent. It’s a remarkable film and performance and it’s the first entry in the Predator franchise that comes closest to doing justice to the original.