Predator (1987), directed by John McTiernan, is one of the most iconic sci-fi action films ever made. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s not just a testosterone-fueled jungle shootout—it’s a survival thriller, a creature feature, and a subtle commentary on the hunter versus the hunted. Let’s dive into every detail.
Detailed Summary
The Arrival of Dutch and His Team
The film begins with Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a Special Forces major, leading his elite rescue team into a Central American jungle. They are tasked with saving hostages from guerrilla forces. Dutch is joined by a team of hardened soldiers, including Dillon (Carl Weathers), his old CIA friend, and a squad filled with tough personalities like Blaine (Jesse Ventura) and Mac (Bill Duke).
Mission Turns Deadly
While the team initially believes this is just another black-ops mission, they quickly realize something is wrong. The hostages have already been slaughtered, and there are strange signs: skinned corpses hanging from trees and unnaturally precise killings. Dutch starts suspecting that Dillon hasn’t told them everything.
The Predator Reveals Itself
The real enemy is revealed to be an extraterrestrial hunter—the Predator—equipped with cloaking technology, infrared vision, and deadly alien weaponry. One by one, the elite soldiers are picked off. Blaine is blasted through the chest, Mac becomes obsessed with revenge, and Billy, the tracker, senses the Predator’s presence long before the others.
The Hunt Intensifies
The Predator toying with the soldiers flips the script: the hunters have become the hunted. The team tries to set traps, but the creature is too advanced. It takes trophies from its kills, reinforcing its identity as a hunter seeking worthy prey.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
The climax of the film comes down to a primal one-on-one battle between Dutch and the Predator. After losing all his men, Dutch realizes he cannot fight the Predator with brute force. Instead, he uses cunning and the environment to his advantage.
Dutch covers himself in mud, which blocks the Predator’s thermal vision, and creates elaborate traps in the jungle. The final showdown is brutal: Dutch lures the Predator into his trap, impaling it with a massive wooden spike. Mortally wounded, the Predator activates a self-destruct device on its wrist, laughing maniacally in a mimic of Billy’s laugh.
Dutch barely escapes the massive explosion, collapsing in exhaustion as a rescue helicopter arrives. The Predator is dead, but Dutch is left traumatized and broken, the sole survivor of his squad.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Predator (1987) does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, that’s it. Unlike modern franchise films, it was made long before the trend of teasing sequels during credits.
Type of Movie
Predator is a sci-fi action thriller with elements of horror. It blends jungle warfare with creature-feature suspense, creating a unique hybrid that redefined 1980s action cinema.
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch
- Carl Weathers as Dillon
- Jesse Ventura as Blaine
- Bill Duke as Mac
- Sonny Landham as Billy
- Richard Chaves as Poncho
- Shane Black as Hawkins
- Kevin Peter Hall as The Predator
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Alan Silvestri, who crafted a tense, militaristic soundtrack full of pounding drums and brass. It’s both action-packed and suspenseful, perfectly matching the jungle setting and the Predator’s stalking presence.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot primarily in Mexico, in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta and Palenque. These humid, dense environments were essential to the film’s claustrophobic atmosphere. The harsh conditions also added realism, as the actors had to deal with bugs, heat, and mud on a daily basis.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects (1988).
- Won the BMI Film Music Award for Alan Silvestri’s score.
- Over the years, it has gained cult status, often listed among the best action and sci-fi films ever made.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the Predator but quit (or was fired) after conflicts about the uncomfortable suit and his role being more stunt-based than acting.
- The Predator’s design was later reimagined by legendary creature artist Stan Winston, with input from James Cameron, who suggested the mandibles.
- The actors competed in real life—waking up early to out-train each other in the gym. Schwarzenegger even played pranks by tricking others into drinking strong liquor disguised as “healthy” tea.
- Sonny Landham (Billy) had a bodyguard on set—not to protect him, but to make sure he didn’t get into fights with others.
Inspirations and References
- The script was inspired by a Hollywood joke that Rocky Balboa would have to fight an alien after running out of human opponents.
- The Predator itself is partly inspired by tribal hunters, combining futuristic tech with primal hunting instincts.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no alternate endings were filmed, there are deleted and extended moments:
- A longer version of Billy’s standoff with the Predator existed but was cut for pacing.
- Early Predator designs (the “Van Damme version”) looked more like a lanky insectoid alien, but test footage proved it ineffective.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film was later novelized, staying faithful to the script but offering more internal monologues from Dutch and his men. It expands slightly on the Predator’s psychology, showing it sees humans as worthy adversaries.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The jungle firefight where the soldiers annihilate the guerrilla camp with over-the-top gunfire.
- Blaine’s death and Mac’s breakdown.
- Dutch realizing the mud hides his heat signature.
- The Predator removing its mask for the final duel.
Iconic Quotes
- Dutch: “If it bleeds, we can kill it.”
- Blaine: “I ain’t got time to bleed.”
- Dutch (to Predator): “You’re one ugly motherf***er.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Predator’s laugh at the end is a mimic of Billy’s laugh earlier in the film.
- The “mini-gun” used by Blaine (nicknamed Ol’ Painless) was a real weapon, modified for the film.
- Shane Black (Hawkins) was also the screenwriter of Lethal Weapon—McTiernan cast him partly to punch up dialogue on set.
Trivia
- Arnold Schwarzenegger lost over 25 pounds during filming due to the harsh conditions.
- The Predator’s blood was made from a mixture of glow sticks and KY jelly.
- Kevin Peter Hall, who played the Predator, also cameoed as the helicopter pilot in the final scene.
- Jesse Ventura thought his biceps were bigger than Arnold’s, so the crew tricked him into a “shirt size” contest that Arnold won.
Why Watch?
Because Predator is the ultimate mix of ’80s action, sci-fi horror, and survival thriller. It’s got a larger-than-life hero, an unforgettable monster, and one of the most tense third acts in action history. If you want muscles, guns, jungle warfare, and a terrifying alien hunter—this movie is mandatory.
Director’s Other Movies
- Die Hard (1988)
- The Hunt for Red October (1990)
- Last Action Hero (1993)
- The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
