The highly anticipated movie based on the popular Borderlands video game series struggled out of the gate. It brought in just $8.6 million during its opening weekend, far below the $110 million budget. Critics also panned the film, rating it at only 9% on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. These disappointing numbers continue the trend of video game movies disappointing both audiences and critics.
The Borderlands games have sold over 77 million copies since 2009, so filmmakers hoped the movie could draw from this built-in fanbase. However, director Eli Roth took some liberties with the source material that upset fans. He changed character ages and roles. For example, in the games the characters Lilith and Roland are much younger, but in the movie actors Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart play older versions. Roth also altered the storyline. While he aimed to capture the spirit of the games for a broad audience, many felt it strayed too far from what fans loved.
Film critic reactions reflected fan disappointment. Most reviews criticized thinly written characters and a predictable plot. Some said it felt generic rather than recapturing Borderlands’ unique style. Roth is known for horror films like Hostel, but many of those also received poor reviews for similar issues like simple stories and lack of originality. His experience directing violent genres didn’t seem to suit the over-the-top action and humor of Borderlands.
Many in Hollywood have struggled to satisfy both video game fans and general audiences. Fans want an authentic portrayal of the games they enjoy, but adaptations often make changes to appeal to casual moviegoers. Projects like HBO’s The Last of Us series earned praise by honoring the source material. But Borderlands is the latest reminder of how even top video game properties can fail on the big screen if they alter too much of what drew people to the games in the first place.
With its disappointing opening, the future of costly video game movies remains uncertain. As Roth moves on to other projects, Borderlands serves as a lesson that studios need to find the right balance to please hardcore fans, or risk losing their business along with mainstream ticket buyers.
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