The allure of the 1987 sci-fi action-horror classic, Predator, lies largely in its cast. It’s not just about the acting prowess on display but the unique mix of personalities and physicality that brings a certain charm to the film. The thrill of watching a group of tough mercenaries being hunted by a formidable alien in the jungle is amplified by the distinctive characters they portray.

Leading the charge is Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose role in Predator cemented his status as a top-tier action star following his success with The Terminator. He is joined by a diverse group including Jesse Ventura, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, and Shane Black. While not all of these actors reached the same heights as Schwarzenegger in the acting world, their eclectic careers have added layers of intrigue to the film. Some transitioned into filmmaking—Bill Duke directed hits like Deep Cover and Sister Act 2, while Shane Black carved out a niche as a writer-director, even returning to the Predator franchise. Notably, Schwarzenegger and Ventura both ventured into politics, achieving governorships, adding an unexpected twist to their legacies. One wonders if Carl Weathers might have followed suit had he consulted with them.

Subsequent Predator sequels, including the more recent Predator: Badlands, haven’t produced such political figures, but a lesser-celebrated 2010 installment deserves attention for its commendable acting. Despite being somewhat overlooked at the time, Predators boasted a remarkable cast and marked the first standalone Predator film in two decades, after the Alien vs. Predator series. Though it opened to moderate success, it didn’t leave a lasting impression, and the next film, directed by Black, didn’t draw much from it while still paying homage to the original classic.

Perhaps Predators was simply ahead of its time. In 2010, it featured Oscar winner Adrien Brody among a cast of actors who have since become even more celebrated. Today, it stands out with two double Oscar winners—Brody and Mahershala Ali—and other renowned talents like Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga. These actors portray human predators—criminals, soldiers, and assassins—abducted from Earth to serve as prey on a mysterious planet, hunted by alien Predators.

This film diverges from the original’s concept by presenting a more varied group of human characters, offering fresh dynamics and challenges. Brody’s intense performance, Goggins’ sleazy drawl, Fishburne’s nod to Apocalypse Now, and Grace’s surprising turn from comic relief to sinister presence add depth to the narrative. They offer a more nuanced portrayal of human resilience, relying on cunning over sheer physical might, reminiscent of how Schwarzenegger’s character ultimately outsmarted the alien adversary in the original. Predators thus stands as a different but worthy addition to the beloved franchise.

Predators isn’t as quotable as the original; there’s no “get to the choppah” or “stick around” or “if it bleeds, we can kill it” (though several of these lines have been recited and repurposed in various Predator sequels). That’s one more reason that it’s less iconic than the men and monsters of 1987. But as a clever inversion of that movie’s premise, it’s pretty damn good – and inarguably has the best overall actors of any Predator movie. In fact, after the fun stupidity of Alien vs. Predator, Predators does an admirable job of reorienting the series toward more human concerns, with a very monster-movie interest in whether the humans are any better than the freaky beasts chasing them down. Subsequent Predator movies have been similarly human-focused (though not focusing on the same themes), and they haven’t ever gone back to the cartoonish machismo of the first movie.

Which definitely has its place! The first Predator is, as mentioned, a classic. But it’s also been rewatched half to death over the past four decades. Predators, on the other hand, probably isn’t in that same rotation. This means that if you haven’t seen it in a while, or at all, now’s a good time to get reacquainted and wonder if, hey, maybe this might be the best one of the bunch.

Jesse Hassenger (@rockmarooned) is a writer living in Brooklyn. He’s a regular contributor to The A.V. Club, Polygon, and The Week, among others. He podcasts at www.sportsalcohol.com, too.