The highly anticipated Borderlands movie is facing an uphill battle to win over audiences, according to early critical reactions. test screenings and preview reviews have been overwhelmingly negative for the video game adaptation starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart.
Based on the blockbuster Borderlands video game franchise known for its over-the-top action and signature art style, the R-rated film underwent reshoots in January led by director Tim Miller after original helmer Eli Roth completed principal photography in 2021. However, critics say these changes were unable to remedy major issues with an uninspired script and characters lacking the chemistry found in the popular games.
One Twitter critic called the movie a “visually repulsive dud” that abandons the mayhem and imagination beloved by gamers. While performances from Blanchett as Lilith and young star Ariana Greenblatt’s Tiny Tina earned some praise, most agreed they weren’t enough to save a film with disjointed directing and a failure to capture the spirit of the source material.
Box office prospects are now in question for the Lionsgate release, which hopes to continue the recent success of game-to-film franchises like Sonic and The Last of Us. But with reviews skewering the film for lifeless humor and a lack of cohesion after multiple directors, Borderlands may have an uphill battle winning over loyal fans and general audiences alike when it releases on March 17th.
