Borderlands Movie's Poor Reviews Aren't Its Only Problems

The Borderlands movie, currently in its premiere week, is facing a barrage of negative critical reception and a crediting controversy. Top critics have largely panned the film.

Borderlands Movie Premiere Week: A Rough Start

Uncredited Film Staff Adds to the Turmoil

Eli Roth's Borderlands adaptation is experiencing a difficult premiere, with overwhelmingly negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes—a mere 6% based on 49 critic reviews. Prominent critics have been scathing; Donald Clarke of the Irish Times suggested viewers might wish to "imagine hitting an X button" to escape the film's perceived flaws, while Amy Nicholson of the New York Times acknowledged some positive design aspects but criticized the humor's failure to connect.

Early social media reactions from viewers and critics echoed the negative sentiment, describing the film as "lifeless," "terrible," and "uninspired." However, a segment of Borderlands fans and moviegoers appreciated the action and crude humor, with a 49% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes reflecting this more positive, albeit minority, viewpoint. One user commented on their surprisingly positive experience despite initial reservations about the cast. Another fan praised the action but noted that lore changes might confuse some viewers.

Beyond the critical maelstrom, a crediting dispute has emerged. Robbie Reid, a freelance rigger who worked on the character Claptrap, publicly stated on Twitter (X) that neither he nor the character's modeler received screen credit. Reid expressed disappointment, particularly given his previously consistent credit history, noting the omission might stem from their departure from the studio in 2021. He also highlighted the unfortunately common nature of such oversights within the industry. He concluded by expressing hope that the situation might spur positive change regarding artist crediting practices.