The other day I watched The Predator—not the classic one with Schwarzenegger, but the confusing 2018 sequel that somehow ended up in my Netflix queue. The film tries to tackle neurodiversity, with a young autistic boy at the heart of the story. Tries... and mostly fails.

The kid is smart, often overwhelmed, and largely misunderstood by the adults around him. And yes, the film hints that his autism makes him special—even evolutionary. But in the end, he's reduced to a narrative device. A MacGuffin. It feels tacked on and shallow.

It made me reflect on my own writing. In my fantasy novel, there's a young deaf character named Brendan. He's the brother of my main character, Tighe. And after watching The Predator, I realized just how important it is to get his role right. Not just for the plot. But for who he is.

Here’s what I’m aiming for:

Brendan’s deafness isn’t a gimmick.

His difference makes him essential to the resolution.

The story wouldn’t work without him.

He brings a unique strength, not a weakness.

Representation matters. But only when it’s meaningful.

🎧 Curious to hear how a gory alien movie made me rethink character development in my novel? Tune in to the full episode.

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