Part 7/10:
The critical response has been a mixture of bemusement and disdain, with some reviewers lamenting the departure from the franchise's original tone. The Hollywood Reporter, for example, lampoons the film's tone, suggesting that it’s a "disarming, cuddly" departure from the traditional predator mythos. The tone of some reviews hints at a perception that Badlands may be "dumbed down" or that its themes—like the Predator's queerness—are more about virtue signaling than authentic storytelling.