The following contains spoilers for Predator: Killer of Killers, now playing in theatersPredator: Killer of Killers introduces a version of the тιтular alien race that doesn’t have the dreads, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. The animated Predator: Killer of Killers takes place across multiple time periods, focusing on different people from across human history encountering, fighting, and overcoming one of the Yautja. The film uses this as an excuse to introduce new variants of the Predator, ranging from a hulking brawler to a crafty pilot.
It’s the latter that stands out, though, because it’s the first time I can remember seeing a Predator without dreads in a movie. While some Predators like that have appeared in tie-in videogames, it’s another thing entirely to see a Predator in a Predator movie without one of the most iconic elements of the creature’s design. While I like that this means the Predator series can expand on different Yautja designs in future Predator films, I’m not sure if I like the idea that the dreads aren’t a natural part of every Predator.
Predator: Killer Of Killers Has A Yautja Without Dreads
The Pilot Predator Has A Bald Head And No Dreads
Predator: Killer of Killers features a Yautja who doesn’t seem to have dreads, which is a departure from the typical design of the alien creature. Predator: Killer of Killers is an anthology film set across different eras in time. In each segment, a different person confronts a different Predator, with the film using this as an excuse to introduce multiple new variations of the alien hunter. One of these Yautja is shown coming to Earth in 1942. This sets up a dogfight between the Predator ship and a squad of US pilots.
Because this Predator doesn’t really leave the cockpit of its ship, it can initially be hard to notice the unique physical quality of the alien. In close-ups, however, it becomes apparent that the pilot doesn’t have the dreads that almost every other Predator has as a part of their natural biology. Instead, this Predator has a bald head and an eye-patch. This suggests that the Predator dreads aren’t necessary. It’s unclear if the bald Predator was always like that, if the dreads were shaved off or tied up — and I’m torn about what this means for future Predator designs.
Killer Of Killers Has Fun Introducing New Predator Variants
Killer Of Killers Proves Predator Can Play With The Iconic Design
One of the things I like the most about Predator: Killer of Killers is the way the new films incorporate a lot of fresh ideas and designs into the franchise. The pilot Predator isn’t even the only unique Predator variant that appears in the film. The other two main segments introduce a hulking Predator big enough to dwarf vikings while the other is a sleeker hunter (and a fine match for Kenji’s ninja skills). The pilot Predator is an interesting tweak, as it doesn’t seem to see the need to retain the dreads every other Predator has.
It’s a departure for the franchise that, in theory, should be great for future Predator designs.
I appreciate that this brings some visual diversity to the franchise, giving other filmmakers in the future plenty of room to run with that idea and incorporate more fresh ideas when designing the Predator. It feels more reflective of real life to avoid an entire race having a singular visual look, and expands the race to include new variations. The Predators can look radically different but still clearly be part of the same species and culture. It’s a departure for the franchise that, in theory, should be great for future Predator designs.
I Don’t Know If I Like The Predator Design Without The Dreads
I Love The Effect The Dreads Have On The Standard Predator Design
The thing is, I love that the Predator has dreads! It’s a very unique visual signifier for the franchise, helping it stand out in silhouette as opposed to other horror icons. While the size and weaponry of the Predators in each film may change — ranging from the high-tech monster of Predator to the more bone-armored design of the Predator in Prey — certain elements remain consistent. This includes the dreads, which have always been a part of the design. While I like seeing new variations of the Yautja, they do need to retain certain elements to remain identifiable as a Predator.
Removing the dreads might be a step too far, as that part of the design stands out in several ways. It showcases that the Predators aren’t in complete body armor, underlying that they are hunters for glory, not necessity. It plays into the somewhat humanoid design, while being just alien enough in texture to be noticeable at first glance. It’s also just a really cool aspect of the Yautja look, helping them stand out from the countless other alien races that exist in the sci-fi genre.
At the end of the day, the Yautja without dreads in Predator: Killer of Killers doesn’t last long enough and doesn’t seem to be foundational enough to the culture to raise too many questions during the narrative. However, the existence of a dreadless Yautja does suggest other questions, like whether or not the dreads are effectively hair and need to be trimmed or cut. While I’m torn about the Predator without dreads in Predator: Killer of Killers, it does give plenty of things to think about regarding the biology of the Predator species.
