Warning: This post contains spoilers for Predator: Killer of Killers!Predator: Killer of Killers is now streaming on Hulu, and the new animated film does something both new and unexpected that has not been seen in the franchise before. While the action-packed Predator trailer gives a brief look into the different eras that the animated film covers, the distinct ways in which those settings are approached are thrilling and often shocking. The film even has a more directly interconnected narrative than many were expecting, and crafts something interesting that looks to update the Predator lore.

Following on the success of Prey, the latest entry in the Predator movie timeline brings back Dan Trachtenberg to continue steering the franchise in a new direction. With his upcoming Predator: Badlands set to tell a unique story within the series, a seismic shift for the franchise has already begun in Killer of Killers. Looking at different periods and depicting important features of the Yautja lore in new ways, Killers of Killers features one sequence in particular that challenges the conventions of what a Predator does.

Killer Of Killers Gives The Predator Franchise An Aerial Faceoff

A Fight In The Sky Of Machine Versus Machine Has Not Been Seen In The Series Before

In the last of the three different time periods covered in the film, set in 1942, a genuine aerial battle takes place in a first for the franchise. Torres, a pᴀssionate pilot but an inexperienced mechanic, is one of the best characters in Killer of Killers. He comes to the rescue of his squad, but arrives too late. However, rather than coming out of the ship and brawling more physically, like in the other stories, the Yautja targets his prey here with his aerial craft, forcing Torres to resist against the incredible technology that the Predator pilots in midair.

While fights with Predators have often been depicted in hand-to-hand combat, tied up in the importance of both physical prowess and honor, this aerial fight challenges that. During this intense sequence, the Yautja piloting his ship can be seen highlighting the human crafts and destroying them with ease. Fortunately, Torres has too much pᴀssion and too much will to be beaten in this way. He employs creativity, which helps to make the sequence that much more exciting.

The Dogfight Is Still The Right Level Of Cool As Any Good Predator Battle

The Sequence Is Unique, But Taps Into The Hallmarks Of What Works In A Yautja Fight

Like in the other stories, the Predator has a distinct advantage here. His ship is bigger and stronger, and his technology is incredibly powerful. With bombs, an incredible grappling hook weapon, and so much more, the Yautja weapons are much greater than what the humans possess. This becomes especially apparent during a short scene where the Predator’s aiming is depicted, with his cannon locking onto the heat signature of each of the planes with ease. His weapons then take out his opponents with only the press of a ʙuттon.

Fortunately, things become very interesting from there. The battle becomes something special when Torres begins to use his insight and creativity to fight back. Stopping his plane’s engines to disguise himself inverts the Predator’s usual invisibility in an interesting way. Flying low in the city, where the Yautja craft is too big to reach, then finally destroying the Predator’s ship with its own bombs, Torres’ creativity and insight become the most important thing. Just like in the best Predator scenes, he is able to win through adaptability rather than better weaponry.

I Want To See More Predator Action Scenes Like Torres’ Dog Fight

The Intense World War II Sequence Felt Fresh And Original

After the ending of Predator: Killer of Killers, there are so many exciting places that the franchise could go. Under Dan Trachtenberg’s stewardship, it seems likely that more creative ideas just like this will continue to emerge in the series. Killer of Killers gave a great look at the different ways of fighting the Predators, first with razor-edged shields, then with katanas, and finally with fighter aircraft. The last of these, with such a great setting and such incredible visuals, was among the most powerful moments in the film, and will hopefully be seen as an inspiration for the franchise’s future.

Fortunately, the upcoming Predator: Badlands looks committed to keeping things fresh in the franchise. Rather than making Prey 2 after the success of the first film, Trachtenberg has instead decided to evolve the series in several different ways at once. Killer of Killers was a powerful addition, and the upcoming Badlands looks to be an even bigger swing in an entirely new direction. With the ending of Killers of Killers tying into the larger series, it seems likely that more creative twists, like this dogfight sequence, will follow.

The future of the Predator franchise is perhaps the brightest that it has ever been. Following the incredible success of Prey, many already agree that Killer of Killers is also among the best Predator films yet. With great visuals and a unique premise, the new movie shows fights with the Yautja in ways that have barely even been imagined to this point. Whether or not a direct sequel to Predator: Killer of Killers is ever released, it seems that the franchise is set to continue evolving in innovative ways in the coming years.