Predator: Killer of Killers – Animated Action With Heart

Predator: Killer of Killers is the latest entry in the Predator franchise, and this time it’s animated—and surprisingly awesome. Released in June 2025 and directed by Gareth Evans (known for The Raid), this movie blends brutal action, character-driven storytelling, and slick animation into something totally fresh.

Unlike past Predator films, Predator: Killer of Killers is broken into four parts: The Shield, The Sword, The Bullet, and an epilogue. Each section is like a mini-movie with its own tone and theme, all tied together by one common thread—survival against the galaxy’s most lethal hunter.

Direction & Writing

The way this movie is structured is one of its strongest points. Each act has its own story, setting, and vibe—but they’re all connected. The Shield dives into revenge, The Sword explores loyalty and teamwork, and The Bullet follows a young warrior’s growth. The final epilogue ties everything together beautifully.

Gareth Evans knows how to tell stories with momentum, and here he keeps the pacing tight. The writing doesn’t try to overexplain the Predator mythology—it just drops you into high-stakes moments and lets the characters shine.

Performances

Even though this is an animated film, the voice performances are legit. Lindsay LaVanchy brings a grounded intensity to Ursa (The Shield), while Louis Ozawa voiced both Kenji and Kiyoshi (The Swords) he definitely brought that era’s tone to both characters. Rick Gonzalez, I remember him from Coach Carter, voiced Torres (The Bullet) really stood out—he added a lot of vulnerability and edge that felt real.

Cinematography & Score

This is the first time I’ve seen the Predator world animated like this—and I hope it’s not the last. The animation is crisp, fluid, and full of creative camera work you just can’t do in live action. Action scenes are intense and beautiful to watch.

The score, on the other hand, didn’t really hit for me. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t elevate any scenes either. The visuals did most of the work when it came to setting the tone.

Themes & Impact

What makes Predator: Killer of Killers unique is how it tells three separate human stories within one deadly universe. Each chapter carries its own emotional weight:

The Shield is about vengeance and justice.
The Sword explores brotherhood and sacrifice.
The Bullet leans into growth and proving your worth.

Instead of hammering one message, the movie lets each story breathe. It gives you characters to root for and reasons to care—while still delivering brutal Predator action.

Comparison to Other Predator Films

If you liked Prey (2022) for its unique take, you’ll probably love Predator: Killer of Killers. It’s even more experimental, and the animation lets it go places live action couldn’t. It also stacks up well against anthology-style series like Love, Death & Robots.

This isn’t a rehash of old ideas—it’s an expansion of what Predator stories can be.

Personal Opinion & Rating

What worked: The storytelling and animation were top-notch. Each act kept me engaged, and the visual style made it feel fresh and fast-paced.

What didn’t: The music didn’t stand out and might’ve been a missed opportunity for more emotional depth. But that’s a minor complaint in an otherwise strong film.

Would I recommend it? 100%. If you’re into the Predator franchise, action animation, or just want something bold and different, this one’s worth watching. It even introduces the idea of Predators using suspended animation, which is a cool twist for fans of the lore.

Rating: 8.5/10