The following contains spoilers for Predator: Killer of Killers, now streaming on HuluPredator: Killer of Killers introduces the Grendel King, the apparent ruler of the Yautja species and one of the most dangerous-looking Predators to ever appear in the franchise. Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology that focuses on different characters in different time periods, using their era’s tactics and technology to try and overcome the Predator that is hunting them. Each of the segments does a good job of fleshing out the iconic species, seemingly even introducing new variants of the Predator designs to flesh out the different kinds of hunters the film can deploy.
The most impressive of these new Predators is the so-called Grendel King, the warlord of the species that shows up in the fourth segment of the film. Called the Grendel King by the Viking shield-maiden Ursa, the Predator ruler is a calmer, ᴅᴇᴀᴅlier, and more impressive member of the Yautjba that is implied throughout the segment to be the most dangerous Predator. Here’s how the Grendel King comes up against Predator: Killer of Killer‘s main characters, how the film sets him up to be such a dangerous threat, and what his place in the film says about Predator as a whole.
Who Is The “Grendel King” In Killer Of Killers?
The Grendel King Shows Up For Killer Of Killers’ Final Segment
The “Grendel King” is the Predator warlord that appears in the fourth and final segment of Predator: Killer of Killers, seemingly serving as a powerful ruler within the Yautja culture. While most of Predator: Killer of Killers is set on Earth (albeit in very different eras), the connective moments between the segments establish that all three human warriors had been taken by the Yautja and brought together to a large coliseum space. There, the Predator Warlord (dubbed the “Grendel King” by Ursa) arrives and reveals they will be pitted against each other in combat.
The Grendel King quickly establishes himself as a powerful threat, commanding the crowd and casually calling out the human characters to participate in the fight. When it seems for a moment like Kenji will refuse to fight for their entertainment, the Grendel King almost uses Predator technology to kill Ursa and Kenji. When Torres is able to free them long enough to make an escape attempt, the Grendel King quickly faces off with them — even cutting off one of Kenji’s arms during the escape.
The Grendel King doesn’t appear all that broken up when Torres and Kenji actually get away inside a stolen spaceship. Instead, the Grendel King seems almost thrilled to announce a new hunt, sending dozens of Yautja ships after the pair. This goes a long way towards implying just how ᴅᴇᴀᴅly this Predator is and what he says about the hierarchy of the alien race at the heart of the Predator franchise, as well as how it reflects the established lore about the Yautja culture.
The Grendel King Is Implied To Be The Best Predator
The Grendel King Can Back Up His Intimidating Look
The Yautja in Predator films are typically defined by their code of honor and focus on battle skills above all other abilities. This suggests that a major leader of the species, such as the Grendel King, would be the best fighter among his ranks. This is supported in the few scenes of the character that the audience gets to see him in, ranging from his appearance to his abilities. The Grendel King is introduced wearing a cape of what appears to be xenomorph tails, suggesting he’s more than dangerous enough to beat one of sci-fi’s scariest monsters.
The other Yautja in this section of the film seem quick and obedient when he gives a command, suggesting that there is little reason to go against the Predator leader. He takes charge in trying to keep Ursa and the others from escaping the coliseum, underscoring his own physical might and dangerous qualities. However, there’s a sense of fun baked into the character. The Grendel King gets involved in the fight and seems eager to set off a new hunt for the escaped humans, hinting that he still loves the thrill of a good fight or an intense hunt.
What The Grendel King Says About Predator Culture
You Don’t Get To Be King Without Earning That Spot
Given what audiences know about the Predators and their focus on hunting above all else, it makes sense that their leader would be as imposing as the Grendel King. The Grendel King is a force to be reckoned with, but one that seems to still embrace the honor of the hunt. He gives the humans a chance to prove themselves the true “killer of killers,” a seemingly honorific тιтle that underscores how important having that kind of warrior’s code is to the species. For defeating another Predator, these humans have proven themselves in a way the Grendel King recognizes.
There are other hints throughout Killer of Killers that suggest the Grendel King is nothing like any other Predator in the franchise. While most Predator films focus on one or a few of the тιтular alien hunters, Killer of Killers showcases an entire alien world and a collection of frozen fighters who have all seemingly killed a Predator in their own lives. This supports the idea that the Predators have traveled across the cosmos and encountered, fought, and captured countless species beyond humanity — and the Grendel King treats them like toys for their excitement, speaking to his authority and power.
Predator: Killer of Killers goes the furthest of any of the films so far in showcasing the kind of character who could be considered King of the Predators.
The Predators have a code of honor, but they are also rarely merciful and show no restraint. The Grendel King demands an honorable battle between Ursa, Kenji, and Torres, but is prepared to simply kill them if they fail to comply. However, he doesn’t seem enraged by their efforts to escape. Rather, the Predator seem to thrill at a challenge, giving his orders to begin a new hunt in the final moments with a clear sense of villainous glee. The Predators are hunters to their core, clearly throwing their all into gruesome battles — something the Grendel King relishes.
While previous films in the series like Predator 2 established a form of hierarchy between the Yautja and Predators proved that there were different communities within the species, Predator: Killer of Killers goes the furthest of any of the films so far in revealing the kind of character who could be considered King of the Predators. The Grendel King is fearsome, dangerous, but cool and collected. It’s the sort of lore expansion audiences might see more of in the upcoming Predator: Badlands, but the Grendel King in Predator: Killer of Killers is the best showcase of Predator culture yet.
