Just when you think a movie couldn’t stir the pot any further, Predator: Badlands delivers a jarring image. A Predator named Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) spots a severed synthetic body of Thia (Elle Fanning). This unsettling moment emerges from a film rated PG-13 in the U.S. and yet contains not a single drop of human blood. So, does this image unnerve you? Does it cross a line into the realm of the inappropriate? If so, brace yourself for the fallout.
According to Deadline, Disney found itself in hot water after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned its ad featuring this very image. The ASA received a grand total of two complaints regarding the ad, which was deemed likely to provoke fear and distress among young viewers. In the UK, Badlands is rated “12” for “moderate violence, threat, injury detail,” which makes its reception even more intriguing.
Disney defended itself, clarifying that the image lasts less than two seconds and doesn’t depict a human but a “synth.” But the ASA countered that this distinction might not be clear to most viewers, stating the realistic portrayal of a severed torso could easily be interpreted as human and quite disturbing.
“We acknowledge the ASA’s ruling,” a Disney spokesperson told Deadline. “We take our responsibilities to audiences very seriously and strive to work closely with partners to meet the required standards.”
As it stands, the fuss may not have significant repercussions. Predator: Badlands has left theaters, and while it’s now promoting its home release, major ad placements are unlikely. Even if Disney opts for some advertising, they can easily sidestep the controversial image. Plus, isn’t it curious that the terrifying Predator with its menacing, sharp teeth barely raises an eyebrow in comparison? Or the sheer terror posed by the giant killer monsters?
What are your thoughts? Is the severed synthetic body truly disturbing, or are we overreacting? Experience the unsettling world of Predator: Badlands, now available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ February 12, and on Blu-ray, 4K, and DVD February 17.
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