1987's Predator is the perfect blend of science-fiction and 80s action thanks to stellar creature effects and the addition of some of the biggest action stars of the era, including Carl Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger. On the surface, there doesn't appear to be much else to the movie, but as the layers are peeled back, it's revealed that Predator is more of a horror film than anything else. The Predator is a hunter who goes after the toughest game, and the tough-as-nails action stars are next on his list. Over the course of the hunt, the film's horror deconstructs the tough-guy trope prevalent in that decade.

Predator follows a highly skilled military rescue team led by a man named Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger), tasked with rescuing a group of politicians in South America. The team later finds out the entire plan was a ruse, and that they are being stalked by an alien hunter who can hide in plain sight. The film's opening is a clever genre misdirect because it begins as a traditional 80s action movie. There's a massive shootout in a guerilla camp in the jungle, where each soldier uses their skills to kill multiple enemies. It's a scene reminiscent of Rambo: First Blood Part II and other films like it. However, hints at the horror yet to come are teased by showing skinned soldiers from a previous mission hanging from the trees.

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Early on, the movie uses an approach similar to Jaws to give the perspective of the Predator. Through first-person camera views, the film shows how the Predator can see in various lenses like infrared. It also sets up multiple moments that will happen later on, such as the recording of Billy's laugh to lure soldiers from the group. Its ability to turn invisible also builds suspense over what the creature really looks like, with only a couple of characters catching glimpses of him.

Like most movies of the era, most of the soldiers are incredibly macho and show no fear in the face of certain death. This includes characters like Blain (Jesse Ventura), who chooses to take a heavy minigun into the jungle and carry it with him because of the firepower. The Predator killing him shows that no matter how big the weapon or how brave they are, they can't beat the ruthless tactics of a skilled hunter. As a result of Blain's death, fear permeates throughout the team, making it easier for them to be picked off.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch in Predator

By the end of Predator, Dutch is left alone, and unlike his fallen comrades, he doesn't hide the fear in his eyes. The Predator took all the stoicism he had, leaving an intelligent survivor. As a result, he learned that dropping their weapons buys them some time because there's no sport in killing unarmed prey. He also learns that covering his skin in mud masks his heat signature. With a basic understanding established, Dutch goes into survivor mode and sets up his own traps, simultaneously proving that brain beats brawn and that he isn't the prey any longer.

Dutch started as the toughest member of the team, believing that just because something can bleed, it'll be easy to kill. But thanks to the terror that the Predator instilled in him and his team, Dutch was able to use his head instead of his weapons and take the fight to the creature. Predator is a unique horror film because its scares helped to show that no matter how tough someone acts, an intelligent threat will always be more dangerous.

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