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

The Borderlands movie is facing more than just scathing reviews in its opening week. While critics have largely panned the film, a behind-the-scenes controversy has added to the production's woes.

A Rough Premiere: More Than Just Bad Reviews

The Eli Roth-directed Borderlands film adaptation has received overwhelmingly negative reviews, currently boasting a dismal 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 49 critic reviews. Prominent critics have been particularly harsh, with descriptions ranging from "wacko BS" to humor that mostly falls flat. Early social media reactions echoed these sentiments, labeling the film as "lifeless," "terrible," and "uninspired."

While critics remain unimpressed, a segment of Borderlands fans and general moviegoers appear more receptive, giving the film a 49% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some viewers appreciated the action and crude humor, though acknowledging plot alterations might confuse some fans.

Uncredited Work Fuels Controversy

Adding to the film's troubles, a recent controversy erupted over uncredited work. Robbie Reid, a freelance rigger who worked on the Claptrap character, publicly revealed on Twitter (X) that neither he nor the character's modeler received screen credit. Reid expressed disappointment, particularly given his prior consistent credit history. He speculated that the omission may be due to him and the artist leaving their studio in 2021, while also acknowledging this is a common industry problem. He concluded by expressing hope that the situation might spark industry-wide change regarding artist crediting.