Why Predators Hunt Humans and the Chilling Code That Guides Them

The movie Predator: Killer of Killers starts off with a passage from the Yautja Codex, which lays out the fundamental principle guiding the honor code of the feared and deadly Predators. Across the Predator film series, it’s been shown that when the Predators chase humans, they adhere to specific rules. Although there isn’t a written code in the films that serve as the main storyline, recurring themes suggest what matters most to them during their hunts.

The character “Predator,” often referred to as “Killer of Killers,” presented the Yautja Codex – a formal set of guidelines or sacred text that defines the culture of the Yautja species. Interestingly, the title of the animated series is derived from this brief extract, containing merely three sentences, yet encapsulating the essence of the revered hunts conducted by Predators. Throughout various eras of human history, new types of Predators are introduced under the moniker “Killer of Killers,” but despite their diverse traits, all Earth-visiting Predators adhere to similar principles of conduct.

The Yautja Codex Explained

Every Predator Is Bound By A Strict Code Of Honor

In the opening scene of “Predator: Killer of Killers,” a section from the Yautja Codex seems particularly significant. This passage, when translated, reads: “The Predator hunts only the most dangerous game. Respect its power, or it will annihilate you.

Go forth among the stars and seek only the strongest prey.
They shall be your trophy.
Become the killer of killers.

At the heart of their pursuit lies the fundamental concept behind the Yautja’s sacred hunt. They strive to traverse the cosmos, seeking out different species for tracking, hunting, and ultimately defeating. The more formidable the adversary, the higher the esteem and recognition they receive, which is why trophies play a crucial role in their hunts. These tokens serve as evidence of each Predator’s triumphs, and demonstrate the skill and caliber of each individual Predator. However, their code of honor extends far beyond merely finding and vanquishing the most powerful beings in the universe.

In any honorable hunt, the ancient principles require adherence to strict guidelines, as depicted in the movie franchise. One key principle is that predators only target those capable of defending themselves, thus disregarding the vulnerable, feeble, and those not yet fully mature or past their prime. For instance, in the original Predator film, the Jungle Hunter lets Anna live because she doesn’t carry a weapon, and in Killer of Killers, Ursa’s son Anders is spared as a young and inexperienced adversary who was not much of a threat to the predator.

One method of rephrasing the given text could be: The Yautja adhere to a code of honor that ensures fairness during their hunts. For instance, in the movie Predator, the Jungle Hunter fights Dutch Schaefer unarmed, and similarly, Hanzo faces the Falconer Predator hand-to-hand in Predators. This code aims to maintain a level playing field, making the hunt more honorable since there’s no prestige in defeating a weaker opponent or using superior technology to kill from a distance.

The Predators Preach Honor & Glory Through Murder To Become The Killer Of Killers

The Gory Nature Of The Franchise Serves A Purpose

In the world of Predator, their code of honor tends to glorify close-combat kills rather than distant ones. This is because a melee kill carries more honor since it involves facing your opponent eye to eye and risking your own life, as opposed to attacking from afar. However, the Predators in the franchise often bend these rules depending on the circumstances, yet the underlying principles remain constant. The latest installment, Predator: Killer of Killers, is particularly gory, reflecting this unique code of honor.

All Predator Franchise Movies
Movie	Release Date	RT Tomatometer Score	RT Popcornmeter Score
Predator	1987	80%	87%
Predator 2	1990	30%	44%
Alien vs. Predator	2004	22%	39%
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem	2007	12%	30%
Predators	2010	65%	52%
The Predator	2018	34%	32%
Prey	2022	94%	74%
Predator: Killer of Killers	2025	97%	89%
Predator: Badlands	2025	N/A	N/A
Prey 2	TBD	N/A	N/A

In this society, violence and destruction are the norm, which explains why Predators feel no qualms about annihilating entire groups of adversaries in a single strike. The City Hunter’s massacre of the Jamaican Voodoo Posse in “Predator 2” or Keyes’ team in “Predator” serves as an illustrative example, as all these individuals are highly skilled killers. Consequently, the Predator is under no obligation to unmask himself unless he chooses to do so, and he does not abide by rules requiring him to maintain a balance of power (rules that seem to only apply in one-on-one confrontations).

What Happens To Predators That Break The Yautja Code?

In Most Cases, Their Options Are Exile Or Death

In the Predator movie series, there’s been an instance where a Predator violated their own rules – this rogue Predator from “The Predator” film. This Predator resembles the Jungle Hunter in origin. Instead of upholding the Yautja culture’s principle of personal advancement and evolution, it provided humans with the Predator Killer suit, which allowed them to fight back against the larger new Predators. This act of treachery led to his pursuit and execution as a punishment for breaking the code – this is one of the severe penalties for violating the rules among the Predators.

Interestingly, the Fugitive Predator adhered strictly to the code as originally designed, whereas a faction of Yautja society, centered around hybridization and enhancement, appeared to stray from the Codex more frequently. In the expansive lore of the Predator universe, which encompasses comic books, graphic novels, and video games, Predators who breach their code of honor are often referred to as “Bad Bloods”. These transgressors can face exile or even death if they do not take their own lives, as a result of the severe dishonor associated with their actions. The level of punishment seems to depend on the gravity of the infraction.

The main character of the upcoming Predator movie, Predator Dek who is exiled, seems to have selected the dangerous planet Kalisk for his initial hunt. On this planet, he faces various deadly plants and animals. For Dek, there appears to be a chance to regain favor with his clan and restore his honor, which is unusual in the wider Predator series. The first movie, Predator: Killer of Killers, introduced us to the formal Yautja Codex’s text, and it remains unclear if future films will delve deeper into it.

2025-06-07 07:40