The Borderlands movie is facing more than just scathing reviews. While critics have largely panned the film, a production controversy has added to its troubled premiere week.
A Rocky Debut
Director Eli Roth's Borderlands adaptation currently sits at a dismal 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 49 critic reviews. Negative feedback has been widespread, with prominent critics citing a lack of humor and overall underwhelming experience. While some design aspects received praise, the film's "wacko BS" (as one critic put it) failed to impress. Early social media reactions echoed these sentiments, describing the movie as "lifeless," "terrible," and "uninspired."
Despite the overwhelmingly negative critical response, a segment of the audience, including some Borderlands fans, found enjoyment in the film's action and crude humor. Rotten Tomatoes shows a more positive audience score of 49%, with viewers praising the explosive action sequences. However, some noted alterations to the established lore, although not universally disliked.
Uncredited Work Sparks Controversy
Adding to the film's woes is a recent controversy surrounding uncredited work. Robbie Reid, a freelance rigger who worked on the Claptrap character, publicly revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that neither he nor the character modeler received screen credit. Reid expressed disappointment, highlighting the significance of his contribution and suggesting the omission may stem from their departure from the studio in 2021. He also acknowledged this is a common, yet unfortunate, problem within the industry. His concluding remarks emphasized the broader issue of artist crediting within the film industry and expressed hope for future improvements.
