Samara Weaving has become a recurring presence in horror, thriller, and action flicks with a touch of dark humor. From The Babysitter to Ready or Not, along with Guns Akimbo and Azrael, the Australian actress has cemented herself as a modern-day final girl, embracing roles that balance stylized violence and absurd comedy. It’s no surprise, then, that she decided to collaborate with her husband, Jimmy Warden (Cocaine Bear), in his feature-length directorial debut with Borderline.
Also written by Warden, the story is set in 1990s Los Angeles, where Sofia (Weaving), a famous pop star, finds her home invaded by Duerson (Ray Nicholson), an obsessive fan who’s convinced they’re meant to get married and orchestrates an alternate reality where everything revolves around his delusion. This premise isn’t exactly groundbreaking, falling in line with other stories about dangerously obsessed fans, leaving the movie’s success dependent on its overall execution, the cast’s performances, and its ability to inject some freshness into a familiar formula.
I won’t resist the pun that 99% of reviews will make: Borderline is borderline satisfying. Its fast pacing and short runtime work in its favor, maintaining the energy needed for its over-the-top violence and dark humor to land without becoming exhausting. Thematically and narratively, it follows generic and predictable developments, but honestly, there’s a certain pleasure in watching a film that knows exactly what it wants to be and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Even so, I can’t deny that I had fun during the 90 minutes as Weaving, Nicholson (Smile 2), and the rest of the cast fully committed to their roles with commendable dedication. Borderline benefits from Warden’s clear vision, which showcases occasional bursts of creativity, especially in well-choreographed visual transitions, with outstanding editing, camerawork, and even stunt coordination. The score by Mondo Boys (Red Right Hand) and the song choices reinforce the movie’s irreverent tone, adding to its comedic layer.
Among the cast, Weaving and Nicholson stand out the most, displaying the superb facial and physical expressiveness that defines them. Weaving shines even brighter in a musical moment shared with Alba Baptista (Warrior Nun) – the Portuguese actress delivers a delightfully insane performance – while Nicholson, on the other hand, channels a chaotic, unhinged energy seemingly inherited from his father, Jack Nicholson. Eric Dane (Euphoria) also delivers a solid performance as a private security guard.
From a technical standpoint, Borderline would have benefited from more sequences shot from Duerson’s perspective, as Warden saves this creative choice for the final act as a hidden ace up his sleeve. It doesn’t hurt the overall experience, but it could have made the first hour more dynamic and visually engaging. As it stands, viewers must latch onto scattered moments of cinematic brilliance and a cast that carries the film on its shoulders.
Final Thoughts on Borderline
Borderline works within its own ambitions, without grand aspirations beyond delivering a stylish, slightly irreverent thriller. It doesn’t bring anything new to the genre, but the cast’s exuberance and Warden’s competent direction ensure an entertaining watch for fans of this type of lighthearted, darkly comedic narrative. Sticking to a predictable formula, it delivers exactly what it promises and remains engaging enough to justify its short runtime.
Rating: B-
Borderline is now playing in theaters.
Learn more about the film, including how to buy tickets, at the official website for the title.
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