Ah, the Yautja! <3 Those warrior aliens born from the wildest and most fascinating imaginations the film industry has gifted us, thanks to Jim and John Thomas, the brilliant brothers behind the original Predator movies.
If you're here reading this, let me start by saying I can’t promise you a serious, academic analysis like what you're probably used to. After all, I’m just a 19 year old fan (almost 26, depending on the mood). What I can promise is a read filled with the passion of a fangirl utterly obsessed with fictional monsters; tall, muscular, and intimidating ones, to be precise.
Hold on tight, because one of these creatures might just show up in your bed tonight! I mean… Well, you get the idea ;))
Let me tell you briefly how this ‘madness’ started in my life. It was back in 2009 or 2010 when I first watched Alien vs. Predator (the 2004 film, if memory serves). It wasn’t even my choice, it was my dad’s fault. (He’s a huge fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger and all his action movies, especially Predator). While I was already familiar with the cultural phenomenon of the Predators, that movie was my official gateway into the world of the Yautja.
At first, I’ll admit, their faces didn’t exactly scream “attractive” to me (who finds a crab-faced alien appealing, anyway? Well… apparently a lot of women do). But their physical presence?
That was an entirely different story… Tall, agile, muscular, and exuding an imposing aura that had me weak in the knees…and still does
Then came Prey in 2022. Naturally, I saw it about eight times in the theater (don’t judge me). My fangirl heart was fuelled to the max. Naru, a fierce and determined protagonist, faces off against a savage Yautja who proves to be the perfect opponent, and vice versa.
I have a confession: yes, I’m one of those people who “ships” strange things. And I have no shame admitting that Naru x Predator holds a special place in my imagination. Two warriors fighting for survival, both clever, calculating, and with a deep respect for each other’s abilities. Sure, he’s a murderous alien… but who said ships need to make sense? (Also, I love Michael Myers, so… what’s new?)
Set in 18th-century North America, the movie’s backdrop of forests, wildlife, and raw nature is the perfect stage for Naru’s journey. She’s a young woman trying to prove her worth, showing she can hunt and survive like the men in her tribe. While their relationship didn’t evolve like that of Scar and Alexa Woods from the original Alien vs. Predator, there was a mutual respect between Naru and the Predator. If she hadn’t attacked him, he might never have targeted her. But Naru had something to prove, and prove it she did.
While the Predators initially caught my attention because of their, well, physique (sorry, not sorry), I soon became fascinated with their culture.
They’re artists of the hunt. Their code of honor, obsession with strength and skill, and disdain for unworthy prey make them far more than mere “villains.” Every new movie, comic, or game in the franchise adds layers to their mythology. For instance, in Predators ‘2010’, I loved how they introduced the hunting grounds the Yautja design. It offered a glimpse into their society and worldview though only about 2% of their full complexity, in my opinion.
Fun Facts About the Yautja :D
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already a fan or maybe you’re curious to know more. Either way, here are some fun facts to fuel your obsession:
1. They don’t kill for fun: The Yautja follow a strict code of honor. If you’re not a threat or worthy prey, they’ll leave you alone (most of the time).
2. The original Predator design was a joke: Did you know the first design for the Predator looked like a weird mix of an insect and a lizard? Stan Winston, the genius behind Jurassic Park and Terminator, gave us the iconic look we know and love today.
3. Their glowing blood is real… kind of: To create the neon-green blood, the effects team used a liquid from glow sticks. Basically, their blood would fit right in at a ’90s rave.
4. They’re multilingual: While they prefer clicks and growls, Yautja can learn human languages. Who says a hunter can’t be bilingual? ;)
5. Extreme collectors: We know they love trophies, but their ships also display some surprising finds, like xenomorph skulls or even a T-Rex skeleton in the comics.
Fandoms, Fanfiction, and the Yautja Community <3
Let’s be real, when you love something as much as I love the Yautja, the official movies and comics aren’t enough. That’s where fanfiction comes in stories by fans that explore the depths of Predator culture, relationships, and even the craziest crossovers.
Want a forbidden romance between a human and a Predator? It exists. Want to see them face even more terrifying creatures? That’s out there too. Some fanfictions dive deep into their culture, rituals, and interpersonal dynamics, adding layers the movies barely touch.
My personal favorite? Naru x Predator fanfics that explore mutual respect, cultural tensions, and impossible attraction. Weird? Maybe. Do I care? Not at all.
And don’t get me started on the online communities. On TikTok, Twitter, and even Facebook, there are groups dedicated entirely to these aliens. Fans share everything from memes and theories to fanart and heated debates about which movie reigns supreme. (Spoiler: for me, it’s Prey, though the ’87 classic is untouchable.)
While writing this article, I listened to Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer” on repeat. Don’t ask me why, but its vibe somehow matched the mix of passion and absurdity I feel for these alien hunters. Weird? Sure. Fun? Absolutely.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
