425 - Predators

In this episode of The Horror Virgin, hosts Paige and Todd dive into the 2010 film *Predators*, the third installment in the Predator franchise, as part of their 'Apex Predator Month' series. Despite initial skepticism and a last-minute guest absence (Blaine), the duo enthusiastically embrace the film's bold narrative shift—placing elite human killers on an alien hunting ground rather than Earth. They praise the movie’s tight screenwriting structure, strong character dynamics, and inventive world-building, particularly the predator society’s class hierarchy and the idea of a 'game preserve' where humans are hunted for sport. While acknowledging dated humor and mixed CGI, they celebrate the film’s action set pieces, thematic depth, and the subversion of Predator mythology. The episode culminates in a detailed scene-by-scene breakdown, emotional character arcs, and a deep dive into production trivia, including casting decisions, filming locations, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The hosts ultimately rank *Predators* highly within the franchise, placing it just behind *Prey* and the original *Predator*. The episode concludes with a fun-filled segment on box office performance, where *Predators* is revealed to have grossed $127.2 million worldwide—more than double its $40 million budget—proving its commercial success despite a modest opening. The hosts also share a lighthearted 'scary scale' rating of 2/10, acknowledging the film’s lack of traditional horror scares but appreciating its tension and gore. They tease next week’s episode: *Tremors 2*, and invite listeners to engage via Patreon, social media, and their mailing address. The episode ends with a heartfelt, humorous farewell and a promotional plug for their sister podcast, *Romancing the Pod*.