Predator

Predator

Year: 1987

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: John McTiernan

ActionAdventureSci-FiThriller

In the dense jungles of Guatemala, a team of elite mercenaries led by Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) finds themselves hunted by a technologically advanced and lethal extraterrestrial. This skilled predator stalks them through the jungle, systematically eliminating them one by one. As the team realizes they are not fighting a conventional enemy, a desperate battle for survival ensues, testing their courage and pushing them to their limits.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Predator (1987)

Trace every key event in Predator (1987) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrival in Valverde

Dutch and his elite commando team arrive in the Latin American country of Valverde. They are briefed by General Phillips and CIA agent Dillon about their mission to rescue a high-ranking cabinet minister who has gone missing in the jungle.

Valverde
2

Mission Briefing

Dillon informs Dutch that a cabinet minister has been kidnapped after a helicopter crash, potentially by a rebel group operating in the area. Dutch’s team is tasked to go into rebel territory to rescue him, setting the stage for their dangerous mission.

3

Insertion into the Jungle

The team is deployed into the jungle by helicopter, preparing to hike towards the rebel camp. They encounter the downed helicopter and pieces of evidence suggesting they are not the first group to venture into this treacherous territory.

Jungle
4

Discovery of the Bodies

Billy, the team's tracker, senses danger and discovers the bodies of three men, flayed and hung upside-down. This grisly find heightens the tension and foreshadows the lurking threat they are up against.

Jungle
5

Assault on the Rebel Camp

The elite team successfully infiltrates the rebel camp and conducts a full-scale assault. After a fierce battle, they eliminate all the rebels but find no hostages, leading Dutch to realize they have been misled.

Rebel Camp
6

Realization of Betrayal

Dutch confronts Dillon after discovering the lack of hostages and learns they were used as pawns in a larger plan. The team prepares to rendezvous at the extraction point while an unseen enemy begins to hunt them.

7

First Attacks

The team is ambushed by a mysterious, invisible creature. Hawkins is killed viciously, and Mac finds he is unable to identify the assailant, fueling the team's growing dread and confusion.

Jungle
8

Preparation for Battle

Determined to fight back, the team sets a trap using jungle vines and tripwires. Anna recounts a local legend about a demonic creature, increasing the tension among the team as they brace for another confrontation.

9

The Trap's Failure

Dutch's trap backfires when a laser blast goes awry, injuring Pancho. In the chaos, Dillon and Mac decide to pursue the unseen enemy, which leads them deeper into danger.

Jungle
10

Further Losses

Dillon witnesses the horrific death of Mac and desperately fights against the invisible foe. He becomes the next victim, exacerbating the team's sense of dread as their numbers dwindle.

Jungle
11

Confrontation with the Creature

Billy bravely confronts the invisible enemy but is quickly killed. As the team faces mounting losses, Dutch and Anna attempt to escape, but danger continues to loom in the shadows.

Jungle
12

Dutch's Survival

After a desperate fight, Dutch finds himself alone against the alien creature. He cleverly uses the environment to create traps and cover himself in mud to evade detection.

Jungle
13

The Final Showdown

Dutch sets a trap for the creature and engages it in a brutal hand-to-hand battle. His cleverness allows him to outsmart the alien, letting him destroy the creature using his own trap.

Jungle
14

The Alien's Last Moments

As the alien is fatally wounded, it shows moments of sentience by mimicking Dutch's question before activating a timer on its gauntlet. This final act shows the creature’s respect for its formidable opponent.

15

Aftermath

In a nearby helicopter, General Phillips and Anna witness a nuclear explosion in the jungle where Dutch defeated the alien. They recover Dutch, who is physically and emotionally exhausted but alive, showcasing the cost of their harrowing adventure.

Helicopter

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

Unlock the Full Story of Predator

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Predator Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Predator, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Predator Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Predator

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