Summary:
-
The flintlock pistol from Predator 2 and Prey reappears in Predator Killer of Killers, connecting the films.
-
The pistol ties the Predator timeline together, emphasizing continuity across centuries.
-
It symbolizes the Yautja code of honor, illustrating their long-standing respect for worthy prey.
Predator: Killer of Killers revisits one of the most iconic objects in the Predator franchise — the flintlock pistol. Though seemingly outdated, this weapon bridges multiple films, connecting key moments across centuries of Predator lore. Its reappearance highlights the Yautja’s complex relationship with humanity and deepens the franchise’s shared mythology.
What Is The Flintlock Pistol’s Role In Predator Killer of Killers?
In Predator Killer of Killers, the flintlock pistol resurfaces during the climactic “Killer of Killers” coliseum fight. The three main characters — Ursa, Kenji, and Torres — are each presented with a weapon matching their respective eras and skills. For Torres, this means a flintlock pistol — a weapon far older than the 20th-century firearms he is accustomed to.
Though seemingly impractical, the flintlock’s real importance lies in its legacy. The pistol bears the name Raphael Adolini, immediately tying it to key events from Prey and Predator 2. In this moment, the film subtly acknowledges the shared continuity across Predator entries, solidifying the flintlock pistol as a symbol of the Yautja’s long-standing interactions with Earth.
Additionally, the final scenes of Predator: Killer of Killers reveal Naru in stasis on the Predator world, explaining how the Yautja came to possess the pistol again. This detail retroactively connects her story from Prey to the wider franchise and confirms the pistol’s journey through the Predator timeline.
READ MORE: Dangerous Animals Cast: Who Plays Who in the 2025 Thriller?
Who Was Raphael Adolini In Prey And Predator 2?
The flintlock pistol first appeared to audiences in 1990’s Predator 2. During the film’s conclusion, LAPD Lieutenant Mike Harrigan defeats a Predator aboard its ship. In recognition of his victory, the elder Predator known as Greyback presents Harrigan with a flintlock pistol engraved with the name “Raphael Adolini 1715.” At the time, the pistol served as a mysterious trophy, hinting at the Yautja’s centuries-long presence on Earth.
Prey later provided the full backstory behind the pistol. Set in 1719, the film introduced Raphael Adolini, a French fur trapper who encounters Naru during her battle with the Predator. Fluent in multiple languages, Raphael assists Naru and teaches her how to use a firearm — in exchange for medical aid.
During the Predator hunt, Raphael is mortally wounded. His death inadvertently reveals to Naru that lowering one’s body heat can mask them from Predator detection, a crucial tactic in her eventual victory. Naru takes the flintlock pistol and returns with it to her tribe, a moment echoed in Predator 2 when the Yautja later reclaim the weapon.
In Predator: Killer of Killers, the flintlock’s reappearance — along with Naru’s presence in stasis — finally explains how the pistol returned to Yautja hands between Prey and Predator 2. This closes a narrative loop that spanned nearly three decades of the franchise.
READ MORE: Will Ana de Armas Return in John Wick After Ballerina?
How Has The Flintlock Pistol Connected Predator Films Across Eras?
The flintlock pistol’s journey through the Predator franchise represents more than just an Easter egg — it embodies the series’ evolving lore. First introduced in Predator 2, the pistol initially raised questions about the Yautja’s history on Earth. With Prey, the franchise explicitly answered that question, showing how Predators hunted humans long before modern times.
By bringing the pistol back in Predator: Killer of Killers, the filmmakers underscore the franchise’s commitment to continuity. The pistol is no longer a random artifact; it is now a symbol of Predator culture and their code of honor regarding worthy prey. The fact that it is presented to Torres during a formal duel in the Yautja coliseum demonstrates that Predators revere both the weapon and the warriors who wield it.
Moreover, the film suggests that characters like Mike Harrigan may have shared a similar fate as Naru — possibly captured and placed in suspended animation, explaining the Yautja’s ongoing collection of human trophies and warriors. Though the film does not explicitly confirm this, the pistol’s consistent presence across films binds the timeline together, turning an isolated prop into a key franchise element.
READ MORE: Tires Season 2 Ending Complete Breakdown
Why Is The Flintlock Pistol Important To The Predator Franchise?
The flintlock pistol represents a crucial aspect of Predator lore: the Yautja’s code of honor. Unlike many other alien species in science fiction, the Predators value worthy combat above all else. They respect opponents capable of fighting back and treat victories as moments to honor — not merely conquer — their prey.
In Predator 2, the decision to gift Mike Harrigan the pistol signifies this respect. The exchange carries weight because the Yautja only offer such recognition to true warriors. Prey further emphasizes this concept by revealing how the Yautja select prey based on skill, not species or technology. Naru, using a centuries-old pistol, ultimately defeats a Predator by understanding their methods and limitations.
When the flintlock resurfaces in Predator: Killer of Killers, its role extends beyond storytelling. The pistol acts as a symbolic throughline, demonstrating that regardless of setting — past, present, or future — the Yautja’s culture remains rooted in tradition, ritual, and honor.
Additionally, the pistol opens narrative possibilities for future entries. Its path through the franchise serves as a reminder that the Predators’ interactions with humanity span centuries, allowing for new stories in different historical periods. This flexibility has already enabled successful experiments like Prey, and the flintlock’s ongoing presence encourages more creative world-building.
READ MORE: Predator Killer of Killers: Who Is The Grendel King?
Predator Killer of Killers Release and Availability
Predator: Killer of Killers premiered in 2025 as an animated anthology film. It is currently available for streaming on Hulu under the 20th Century Studios banner. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the project complements ongoing expansion efforts in the Predator universe, which also include the upcoming film Predator: Badlands.
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
