"Kwei" Predator": Profile Of Dek's Brother

In Predator: Badlands, Kwei was introduced as the older and bigger brother of the outcast warrior Dek. A member of the clan led by his father Njohrr on Yautja Prime, Kwei was the favored son and destined for great honor. In an old Yautja dictionary circulating online for decades, "Kwei" means "Tricky or sly", a term which might have been adapted by the filmmakers, seeking to develop a full Yautja language.

Dek's Brother From Badlands

Kwei was the firstborn son of Njohrr (possibly a Clan Leader) and held a prestigious position within the Yautja clan. By contrast, his younger brother Dek was portrayed as weaker and physically disadvantaged, which stirred contempt from their father but empathy from Kwei. Dek was considered to be a "runt" and possibly even had a vision impediment, being blind in one eye. The brothers grew up together on Yautja Prime and showed affection for each other, something that their father lacked.

A Combat Ritual

In Predator: Badlands, Kwei and Dek were forced into a combat trial arranged by Njohrr to determine their worthiness for a crucial hunt. Kwei outmatched his brother in that trial, but when Njohrr demanded that he kill Dek as proof of loyalty, Kwei refused. The combat trial served as both a rite of passage within Yautja culture and a test of personal allegiance. Kwei, having already proven himself as a warrior, displayed both dominance and restraint: dominant in defeating his brother, restrained in refusing to carry out his father’s command.

Final Fate Of Kwei

After his confrontation with Njohrr, Kwei was left gravely injured, losing his arm (a common trope among Predators). While his exact fate will be revealed in the movie, his act of defiance allowed Dek to escape and survive. By protecting his brother, Kwei broke away from his clan’s rigid Yautja traditions. With the help of Kwei, Dek was able to flee from Yautja Prime to the "Death Plant" (sometimes referred to as Kalisk). There, Dek could prove himself to be a worthy warrior, and possibly later, confront his father again.

Kwei's Appearance

Kwei was depicted as taller and more physically imposing than Dek, which emphasized his status as the favoured and more capable son. His skin had leathery, reddish-brown scales, and he bore the characteristic Yautja dreadlocks, somewhat thin like the ones on the Feral Predator. Kwei's mandibles were longer than Dek's, feature also hinting at an older age. His armor and mask were similar to Dek’s but featured distinct details such as bone-crafted shoulder pads instead of metal plating. This design reflected his status as a proud warrior shaped by his father’s expectations.

Weapons And Armor

Kwei’s weapon set reflected both clan tradition and individual craftsmanship. He wielded a distinctive red-colored sword, a weapon associated with Njohrr’s lineage. His armor mirrored that of Dek’s in many respects, suggesting shared training and heritage, but included unique elements such as bone shoulder guards and an advanced bio-mask. Like other Yautja warriors from the movie, he also carried wrist blades, a cloaking device, and a plasma sword. These weapons and his armor together defined him as a seasoned and disciplined Blooded warrior, ready for any hunt.

Other Predator Brothers From Yautja Lore

Within Yautja lore, fraternal rivalries like that of Kwei and Dek were common. Older siblings were often expected to embody leadership and uphold the clan’s honour, while younger ones struggled for recognition. A similar situation occurred in the Predator vs. Black Panther crossover comic series, where two Predator princes dueled for their father's throne (a Predator King). The smaller and younger Predator was missing a leg, but it was replaced with a cybernetic one. In the end, the smaller Yautja Prince travelled to Wakanda to try to steal vibranium, but perished while escaping.

Conclusion

Kwei was introduced in Predator: Badlands as the older brother of Dek and the son of Njohrr. He appeared as a strong and experienced Yautja warrior involved in a family conflict on Yautja Prime. Sadly, Njohrr was willing to lose both sons in the pursuit of "honor", basically killing his own clan's future. While his final fate was not confirmed, Kwei played an important role in Dek’s escape and in the events leading to the larger conflict shown in the movie.

Tag Categories: Predator: Badlands Lore, Individual Predators, Predators From The Movies