Borderland Film Earns Scathing Reviews

Eli Roth's highly anticipated Borderlands movie is poised for its theatrical release, but early critical reception paints a bleak picture. Read on for a summary of initial reviews and what audiences can expect.

A Critical Mauling, Despite Star Power

Early reviews of the Borderlands film adaptation are overwhelmingly negative. Critics, following early screenings, have voiced concerns across social media platforms. Common criticisms include weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a poorly developed script.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like a studio exec's misguided attempt at capturing 'cool.' The humor falls flat, and the film lacks genuine emotional depth, resulting in a chaotic mess."

Darren Movie Reviews from Movie Scene Canada called it "a baffling adaptation," praising the potential of its world-building but faulting a rushed and uninspired script. He noted that despite impressive set design, poor CGI undermines the visual appeal.

However, not all reviews were entirely damning. Film critic Kurt Morrison observed that Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart's performances elevate the film, preventing a complete disaster, though he doubts it will find a wide audience. The Hollywood Handle offered a more positive, albeit qualified, assessment: "Borderlands is a fun PG-13 action flick, relying heavily on Cate Blanchett's star power to carry it through—and she delivers."

Despite a star-studded cast, the film, re-announced in 2020 after a period of inactivity, has faced skepticism from fans of the game franchise since its inception.

The film centers on Lilith (Cate Blanchett), returning to Pandora to find Atlas's missing daughter. She teams up with an eclectic crew including Roland (Kevin Hart), Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Claptrap (Jack Black).

As major publications release their full reviews in the coming days, audiences can judge for themselves when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has hinted at a new Borderlands game.