The narrative journeys through various timelines, beginning with “The Shield,” where a Viking queen named Ursa, voiced by Lindsay LaVanchy, seeks vengeance for her father’s death, only to face a Predator. In the segment “The Sword,” a Predator disrupts a conflict between two samurai brothers during Japan’s Edo period, leaving Kenji, portrayed by Louis Ozawa Changchien, as the sole survivor. Finally, “The Bullet” transports viewers to World War II, where pilot John Torres, played by Rick Gonzales, engages in aerial combat against a Predator spaceship. These stories converge in “The Battle,” where the surviving humans must confront each other to determine the ultimate apex predator, eventually facing a formidable Predator warlord, the so-called killer of killers. The film’s conclusion offers tantalizing surprises, building on the franchise-altering ending of “Prey” and paving the way for exciting future possibilities.

Trachtenberg drew from a medley of influences to shape “Predator: Killer of Killers.” Among these inspirations are the Netflix series “Arcane” and the cyberpunk anime “Akira.” However, the most unexpected and revealing influence comes from “Best in Show,” Christopher Guest’s 2000 mockumentary about quirky dog trainers competing in a prestigious canine competition. Garnering a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Best in Show” ranks high among comedy classics. Its link to “Killer of Killers” lies in the fierce competition depicted in both films, although the stakes in Trachtenberg’s project involve lethal encounters with Predators.

In promoting “Predator: Killer of Killers,” Trachtenberg explained to Polygon the crucial role “Best in Show” played in shaping his film. “In that movie, being a comedy, you bond with the characters in a very unique way,” he noted. “It’s not like any other sports movie, where you have your protagonist, and you’re rooting for them to win.”

While promoting “Predator: Killer of Killers,” Dan Trachtenberg explained why “Best in Show” was crucial to his film, telling Polygon, “In that movie, being a comedy, you bond with the characters in a very unique way … It’s not like any other sports movie, where you have your protagonist, and you’re rooting for them to win.”

Called “wickedly funny” by film critic Roger Ebert, “Best in Show” is an ensemble film that follows multiple competitors in the fictional Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. They include Florida couple Gerry and Cookie Fleckman (Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara), neurotic yuppies Hamilton and Meg Swan (Michael Hitchcock and Parker Posey), and aspiring ventriloquist Harlan Pepper (Christopher Guest). In the tradition of “This is Spinal Tap,” which also starred Guest, “Best in Show” relies on the improvisational talents of its cast, allowing them to play off of each other as they undergo the trials (and indignities) of the dog show.

The lack of a single protagonist driving the plot forward ratchets up a humorous version of suspense — because any of these endearing oddballs could become top dog. While the hyperviolent “Predator: Killer of Killers” is a very different film, it also, as Trachtenberg says, wants the viewer to “bond” with its various besieged heroes instead of baying for anyone’s blood. This leads to a surprising, action-packed finale that sets the stage for the next battle in the “Predator” franchise — and leaves the Predators possibly wondering if they have enough strength to lead the pack to victory over the underdogs.