Predator: Killer of Killers – A Franchise Reinvented on Hulu

Let’s be honest – the Predator franchise has been in a weird place since 2018's The Predator pretty much bombed. But Killer of Killers takes a completely different approach, and it actually works. Going animated seemed like a strange choice at first, but after watching it, I get why they did it.

Three Different Stories

What's cool about this movie is that instead of one long story, it's broken into three shorter episodes. Each one has a different time period, different warrior, different Predator. You've got this Viking raider named Ursa and her son seeking revenge, then two brothers in feudal Japan (one's a ninja, one's a samurai), and finally an American pilot during World War II.

The interesting part is how each Predator has a completely different fighting style. The Viking one is this brutal hand-to-hand combat beast. The Japanese one uses blades and stealth tactics. The WWII Predator actually has wings and fights in the air with harpoons instead of the usual plasma cannon stuff.

Why Animation Actually Makes Sense

I was skeptical about the animation at first, but it lets them do things that would've looked terrible or cost way too much in live action. The art style reminds me of those really detailed storybook illustrations, but in motion. It's definitely not your typical cartoon look – it keeps that R-rated violence the franchise is known for.

Each segment has its own visual feel too. The Viking part is all gritty and cold, Japan is more elegant and precise, and the WWII section has that chaotic aerial combat energy.

What Works About the Story

The best thing about this movie is how it handles Predator lore without getting too nerdy about it. We've always wondered why some Predators follow this honor code while others just kill everything in sight. Instead of explaining it with a bunch of exposition, the movie just shows you through the different Predators' behavior.

There's this arena scene near the end where captured human warriors fight elite Predators in front of an audience. It's not just a cool action sequence – it actually shows you how their society works without beating you over the head with it.

Bottom Line

Dan Trachtenberg (who did Prey) was involved as creative lead, and you can tell. It's got that same focus on character and pacing that made Prey work so well. The movie feels like it actually understands what makes Predator stories compelling – it's not just about the alien tech or the gore, it's about the hunt itself.

If you're into the franchise, this is definitely worth watching. If you're new to it, it's actually a pretty good place to start since each story is self-contained. Just don't expect your typical superhero animated movie – This film definitely earns its R rating.

Predator: Killer of Killers is streaming on Hulu now.