How the “violent” and “gory” Predator: Badlands managed to get a surprising 12A rating

by

The new Predator film, Predator: Badlands, hits theaters next week with a surprisingly mild rating for the series – a 12A in the UK. This follows a PG-13 rating in the US, which has worried some fans who are used to the franchise being known for its intense violence.

The series previously had one PG-13 movie in the US, which was the often-discussed Alien vs. Predator. However, it received a 15 rating in the UK. To clarify, the 12A rating for Predator: Badlands means that children under 12 can watch it in theaters with a supervising adult.

Despite early reviews describing Predator: Badlands as extremely violent and gory, it’s surprisingly been given a 12A rating. The reason? The film features no human characters at all.

What to Read Next

Predator: Badlands takes place on a distant planet where Dek, a young Predator exiled from his tribe, teams up with Thia, a synthetic human created by Weyland-Yutani. Together, they try to obtain a valuable trophy that will earn Dek his place back with his clan. Their journey involves facing dangerous creatures and numerous other synths, but notably, they don’t encounter any humans.

Unlike earlier Predator films that focused on human bloodshed, Predator: Badlands will feature a different kind of violence. Because the setting is more fantastical, the movie can include intense action like dismemberment and decapitation.

So, I was checking out why Predator: Badlands got the rating it did, and the BBFC explained it to me. Basically, they give ratings and info so people like us can decide what we want to watch. They told Digital Spy that it’s a 12A because there’s some moderate violence, scary stuff, and details of injuries, but it’s the kind of stuff that’s okay for a 12A rating according to their rules.

The BBFC’s age ratings are based on clear guidelines developed through extensive public feedback – recently from over 12,000 people. We regularly update these guidelines to make sure they reflect what UK viewers expect. This helps everyone – whether at the cinema or watching at home – choose films that are suitable for them.

The BBFC’s guidelines (available here) explain that violence shown in a fictional or fantastical way, or violence that appears fake or clearly staged, is usually considered less serious when deciding an age rating.

Notably, Predator: Badlands avoids excessive detail, which could have earned it a higher 15 rating. According to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), a 12A rating allows for some blood and injuries, but these should be shown sparingly and only when they serve the story – like showing realistic medical procedures or fantastical elements.

Most Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films are rated PG-13, but the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine is expected to be much more violent and graphic. While some MCU movies contain violence, it’s usually not shown in detail and often involves conflicts with non-human characters or takes place in fantastical worlds, like those seen in Thor.

Predator fans can rest easy knowing that while Predator: Badlands will offer a fresh take on the series, it won’t be a watered-down version. Director Dan Trachtenberg hasn’t turned it into something for kids.

If you’re wondering about the movie’s rating, producer Ben Rosenblatt told IGN that it should be suitable for a wider audience. Because the film doesn’t feature any humans – and therefore no human blood – they’re optimistic it will receive a more lenient rating.

We’ll push ourselves to the limit within the given restrictions, and we expect to create some impressively disturbing visuals – but we’ll be using colors other than red.

Predator: Badlands is released in cinemas on 7 November.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available! You can purchase Ariana & Witches at newsagents or online for only £8.99.

Read More

2025-10-29 19:20