The Failings of ‘Borderlands’: Why It Didn’t Live Up to Expectations for Gamers Like Me

The film adaptation of the immensely popular “Borderlands” game series, directed by Eli Roth, fails to capture the excitement and charm of its source material. Despite having the elements for success—a ragtag team of space misfits, irreverent humor, and a quirky robot sidekick—the film disappointingly falls flat.

With a dismal 5% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Borderlands” has been widely criticized. Variety’s chief film critic described it as predictably boring, noting, “As the film goes on, it’s increasingly clear where things are headed. By the time ‘Borderlands’ unlocks its vault, not even the characters seem to care what’s inside.” For dedicated gamers, like myself, this adaptation’s shortcomings are particularly frustrating.

The original “Borderlands” game, released in 2009, was groundbreaking for its looter-shooter genre, offering fast-paced combat and randomized weapons that kept players engaged. Its memorable characters included Lillith, the siren with Eridian powers, berserker Brick, marksman Mordecai, and soldier Roland.

However, the film’s portrayal diverges from the game. Brick and Mordecai are missing, while Cate Blanchett, aged 55, plays the young Lillith. Her portrayal lacks the vibrancy of the original character, and Roland is reduced to a series of height-related jokes involving Kevin Hart. The film’s humor, which felt fresh in 2009, now appears outdated and fails to resonate.

The production struggles are evident, with reshoots in 2023 and a script that shifts focus away from the game’s importance. The anticipated twist, Lillith being the daughter of Eridia with phoenix-like abilities, is underwhelming for those familiar with the game’s mechanics. This adaptation seems to have overlooked the expectations of the 77 million players who have enjoyed the “Borderlands” games, leaving fans wondering who the film was intended for.