The highly anticipated Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth, is poised for theatrical release, but early critical reception paints a bleak picture. Read on for a summary of initial reviews and audience expectations.

A Critical Mauling, Despite Star Power

Early reviews of Eli Roth's Borderlands adaptation have been overwhelmingly negative. Critics, following the film's early US premieres, have voiced concerns across social media platforms. Common criticisms include weak humor, unconvincing CGI, and a lackluster script.

Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews tweeted, "Borderlands feels like what a disconnected executive thinks 'cool' is. No genuine character moments, just stale, obnoxious quips. It's not even 'so bad it's good,' just a mess."

Darren Movie Reviews from Movie Scene Canada called it "a baffling video game adaptation," acknowledging potential for impressive world-building, but ultimately faulting "a rushed and dull screenplay – impressive set design undermined by cheap-looking CGI."

However, not all reviews were entirely damning. Film critic Kurt Morrison noted, "Blanchett and Hart inject some fun, preventing a complete disaster," though adding, "it'll be a surprise if this finds an audience." The Hollywood Handle offered a slightly more positive assessment: "Borderlands is a fun PG-13 action movie. It relies heavily on Cate Blanchett's star power, and she delivers."

Despite a star-studded cast, the film, re-announced in 2020 after a production pause, has faced skepticism from fans of the game franchise.

The film follows Cate Blanchett as Lilith, returning to Pandora to locate Atlas's missing daughter (Edgar Ramirez). She teams up with a diverse group: Kevin Hart as Roland, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jamie Lee Curtis as Tannis, and Jack Black as Claptrap.

As major publications release their full reviews in the coming days, audiences will have their chance to judge when Borderlands hits theaters on August 9th. Meanwhile, Gearbox has hinted at a new Borderlands game.