Elle Fanning has revealed details about her role as Thia in the upcoming film Predator: Badlands, set to premiere on November 7, 2025. Portraying a biomechanical humanoid known as a synthetic, Fanning describes Thia as the “little companion” to the film’s main character, the Yautja hunter Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. The actress explained that her character is both a guide and an ally, playing a crucial role in navigating Dek’s journey on a remote planet.
The Complex Dynamic Between Thia and Dek
In an interview, Fanning shared insights into the relationship between Thia and Dek. She said,
“He’s speaking another language, and Thia is there to guide him in a lot of ways, and to be his buddy.”
Thia not only supports Dek but also seeks mutual respect in their partnership. Elle added,
“I think Dek wants respect in the film from other things you’ll figure out, and Thia also wants her respect also from Dek, in some ways.”
Fanning further described their connection:
So, she is his little companion, his little buddy, and I love she has a different personality than any other synthetic we’ve seen before in any of the films.
—Elle Fanning, Actress
The actress appreciated the opportunity to collaborate closely with director Dan Trachtenberg in shaping Thia’s personality, aiming for a more positive and nuanced character. She remarked,
“It was nice to work with Dan to kind of mould that personality, and almost more of a positive attitude.”
She also highlighted the parallel struggles both characters face, noting,
“But I love the friendship between the two, because as you see, Thia is broken in many ways, and Dek is kind of the runt of his clan. So, it’s a little bit of these two misfits coming together.”
Plot and Character Context in Predator: Badlands
Predator: Badlands tells the story of Dek, a young Yautja hunter who has been banished from his clan and sent to a remote planet. There, he forms an unexpected alliance with Thia as they embark on a mission to find the ultimate adversary. This film marks a first for the franchise by positioning a Yautja not as an antagonist, but as the protagonist.
Director Dan Trachtenberg has described Dek as influenced by iconic tough heroes like Mad Max and Conan the Barbarian, portraying him as a blunt and direct character. Trachtenberg explained:
He’s a thing of few words, pretty blunt. He cuts straight to the point. Literally and figuratively.
—Dan Trachtenberg, Director
He also emphasized Dek’s status as an underdog within his own species, calling him the “runt of the litter” and making him a figure audiences can root for. Trachtenberg stressed the novelty of this perspective in science fiction:
That feels like a big idea, not just within Predator, but in sci-fi generally. In most sci-fi universes, the ‘creatures’ are either bad guys or sidekicks. In [Predator: Badlands] it’s, ‘What if you were with the creature on this crazy mission to prove itself, seeing everything through its eyes?’
—Dan Trachtenberg, Director
A Bold New Direction for the Predator Franchise
Trachtenberg has indicated that Predator: Badlands takes a daring approach. Speaking to Bloody Disgusting, he stated:
It’s a big, crazy swing, and I think that’s what drives butts into seats.
—Dan Trachtenberg, Director
He also noted that audiences looking for the familiar Predator experience can revisit previous films, such as Predator or Prey, but this new installment offers a fresh story from the creature’s point of view:
If you want the same old Predator experience, you can hit play on Predator or Prey or any other, whichever one is your fit.
—Dan Trachtenberg, Director
This unconventional focus on the Predator as a protagonist, alongside the fragile but growing bond between Thia and Dek, signals a shift in the franchise’s narrative style, promising a tense and unique addition to the science fiction action genre.
