Predator: Killer of Killers Connects to Prey in the Most Exciting Way

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This article contains SPOILERS for Predator: Killer of Killers

The movie titled “Predator: Killer of Killers” is now available on Hulu, marking the beginning of an exciting year for Predator enthusiasts. This will be followed by the release of “Predator: Badlands” in theaters on Nov 7, 2025. Notably, Dan Tractenberg, who also directed “Predator: Badlands” and the highly praised 2022 film “Prey”, is co-directing “Predator: Killer of Killers”. “Prey”, which launched this new chapter in the Predator franchise, has been long anticipated by fans, with its star, Amber Midthunder, hinting at a sequel for quite some time.

Rather than continuing the storyline directly, Tractenberg chose to explore two fresh avenues for the Predator series. He introduced the franchise to its inaugural animated anthology with “Predator: Killer of Killers” and the first film featuring a Predator protagonist through “Predator: Badlands”. Noteworthily, despite being an animated production, “Predator: Killer of Killers” shares a substantial connection with “Prey”, hints for which are dropped during the movie, and one major one at its conclusion that could potentially reshape the future of the franchise. This includes speculation about the possibility of “Prey 2” and what it might entail if it does materialize.

‘Predator: Killer of Killers’ Mid-Credits Scene Explained

In the film “Predator: Killer of Killers”, following the title screen, there’s a brief scene before the credits that hints at a larger story. Two Predators lead one of the film’s soldiers into a chamber filled with similar chambers, mirroring the final shot of the warehouse in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. This suggests that numerous individuals, like this soldier, have been captured and transported to the Predators’ homeworld as depicted in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.

In the sci-fi thriller, Predator: Killer of Killers, two ominous figures stride past a cryogenic chamber, and upon closer inspection, we see Naru (Amber Midthunder), the main character from Prey. Earlier in the movie, during the arena where the three heroes converge, there’s a flintlock pistol that catches our eye – this same weapon belonged to Raphael Adolini, the Italian interpreter whom Naru had crossed paths with earlier in the film. Interestingly, Raphael Adolini is a nod to the broader Predator franchise, as he was hinted at in Predator 2 through this very same firearm.

The movie Predator: Killer of Killers fills a missing piece in the timeline of the Predator series and resolves an inconsistency created by the film Prey. In Prey, it’s shown that Naru possesses Raphael Adolini’s pistol. However, in the movie Predator 2, set 287 years after the events of Prey, the same gun is in the possession of the Predators themselves, who give it to Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) as a trophy. This inconsistency left fans puzzled, since it seemed implausible for the Predators to have obtained Raphael Adolini’s pistol if they had fought and lost to Naru. The movie Predator: Killer of Killers, however, provides an explanation for this apparent discrepancy.

The closing credits of the movie “Prey” present a sequence of caves illustrating the film’s events and hinting at potential future developments. The final painting depicts three Predator ships descending upon the tribe, which initially seemed to foreshadow “Prey 2”. However, in light of “Predator: Killer of Killers”, it is now clear that Naru was taken captive and imprisoned by the Predators. Given this significant twist at the end of “Predator: Killer of Killers”, what implications does this have for a potential “Prey 2” or if there will even be one remains to be seen.

What Does This Mean for ‘Prey 2’?

After “Prey” premiered on Hulu in August 2022 and garnered some of the finest reviews within the “Predator” series, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel. However, despite director Dan Tractenberg working on follow-ups to “Prey”, a direct “Prey 2” was never explicitly mentioned. In 2024, it was disclosed that Tractenberg was crafting two “Predator” films, initially referred to as “Predator: Badlands” and what was thought to be “Prey 2”. Surprisingly, “Prey 2” morphed into “Predator: Killer of Killers”, a clandestine project, with the original intention of a direct sequel to “Prey” serving as a decoy to mislead insiders.

The unveiling of Amber Midthunder’s character Naru within the cryo pod container implies that “Predator: Killer of Killers” could be considered as a sequel or spiritual successor to “Prey 2”. Similar to “Prey”, “Predator: Killer of Killers” portrays the Predator in various time periods, encountering different warriors across history. Both movies were streamed on Hulu, creating a connection not only in distribution but also in theme and style.

We currently have a potential two-part storyline that could culminate in a third installment, forming a Predator trilogy. This third film could either be “Predator: Badlands” or something on a grander scale, reviving an idea for Predator 3 that was proposed in the 1990s. If realized, this would invite actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny Glover, Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, and Amber Midthunder’s character Naru to reprise their roles.

It’s quite possible that the film Predator: Killer of Killers may hint at upcoming events and secrets in Predator: Badlands, especially since Dan Tractenberg is directing both movies as well as Prey. This suggests a strong connection between the three films. Interestingly, one of the species in the coliseum looks remarkably similar to the kaiju-like aliens featured in the trailer for Predator: Badlands.

It’s important to mention that the final battle in “Predator: Killer of Killers” happens at an undetermined time. While it is clear that it takes place after World War II, the film does not provide specific details about how much time has elapsed between the last abduction and the awakening before the fight. This opens up the possibility that “Predator: Badlands” might be set in Earth’s distant future. The characters from “Predator: Killer of Killers,” including possibly Naru, could have significant implications when “Predator: Badlands” is released in theaters.

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2025-06-07 04:32