Border Hunters

How do people get funding for movies like this and why do I never meet anyone as gullible and so easily separated from their money? This movie was AWFUL! I can't even say it tried and failed because it didn't even try! Wafer thin plot, awful acting, and tactically advised from a 5 year old Call Of Duty player.

The main character is some sort of military bad ass who doesn't even know how to handle a rifle. His brother was apparently killed by the cartel and he went bonkers (this was either sanctioned by the govt or wasn't but they didn't feel the need to explain) and took revenge. This wound him up in jail where he's been for an unknown time but seems to only be harassed now, when he's needed. He's predictably released under shady circumstances for what's obviously a set up, and I'd say the rest is downhill but it was downhill from the title screen.

The line of the movie is weird. However, the game of some actors, such as Ramón Medína, allows you to stay in the movie and follow it. I have enjoyed viewing this police woman officer putting some dark brown cane sugar on her poor leg after receiving a bullet and using such a big roll of bandage. Were they out of material after lunch? Throughout the entire film, not a single round of ammunition is ejected during the shootouts. Yet they're firing away and a lot! After exactly 59 minutes, there are some good lines in the dialogue... " I always enjoyed a good smoke after a f*ck, sometimes you fart too"... This last exactly 3 minutes! After all, I have finished watching it.

If you're thirsting for a movie where Dean Norris reprises a role in which he's again working as law enforcement in a drugs related narrative (a la Hank), then this scratches that itch. Caveat is, you'll have to sit through some of the worst writing, dialogue and an ultra shallow plot to witness the 1:20 mins of Dean phoning it in.

The characters, theme and acting performs like it was prodcued by a guy who saw a couple anti-drug PSA's, then watched the first-half of Sicario 2, and thought, "I've seen enough. I think I got this whole North American drug trade figured out."

If you're waiting for the geo-political depth & somewhat realistic dialogue to show up...it never does. The whole thing feels like, general fans of the genre asked ChatGPT to create a whole script solely structured around the words; Fentanyl + bad guys + brooding anti-hero & that cop guy from Breaking Bad. However they got there, the product is something cartoonishly bad, where 20 mins in; flamboyant, dancing bad guys are casual assassins & a cop can spill a pinch of fentanyl dust on their shirt, then implausibly overdose. The narrative, dialogue, acting & story mechanics are so asinine, the biggest fans of Breaking Bad will leave the film wondering if the real plot subtext was whether or not Dean Norris just needed a paycheck.

Border Hunters is one of those films that immediately signals trouble within its opening stretch, never quite finding its footing and only sinking further as it goes. From a structural standpoint, the movie lacks a clear sense of identity, unsure whether it wants to be a gritty thriller, an action-driven border drama, or a low-budget crime story. That uncertainty bleeds into every aspect of the film, creating an experience that feels unfocused and largely unrewarding.

The screenplay is by far the film's weakest element. Dialogue feels underdeveloped and repetitive, often circling the same ideas without adding new information or tension. Scenes unfold without momentum, and character motivations are either thinly sketched or entirely absent. Instead of building stakes or emotional investment, the script settles into a monotonous rhythm that makes the film feel longer than it already is. There is little sense of escalation, which is fatal for a story that relies on danger and urgency.

Casting choices do the film no favors. The performances range from passable to outright disengaged, with none of the actors bringing the level of credibility needed to ground the material. There is no standout presence capable of anchoring the story or elevating weaker scenes. As a result, character interactions feel hollow, and the supposed conflicts never land with any real impact. It becomes difficult to care about outcomes when the characters themselves feel underwritten and disconnected.

Direction is another major stumbling block. Rather than establishing a consistent tone or visual language, the film drifts from scene to scene without a strong guiding hand. The pacing is uneven, and moments that should feel intense or suspenseful fall flat due to a lack of buildup. The director seems uncertain about what story they are trying to tell, and that uncertainty translates directly to the screen.

Technically, the film does little to compensate for its narrative shortcomings. Cinematography is serviceable at best, lacking visual flair or atmosphere. Editing fails to create tension or rhythm, further contributing to the film's flat presentation. Even moments that could have benefited from stylistic choices or sharper execution end up feeling rushed or poorly conceived.

Ultimately, Border Hunters is difficult to recommend. While low-budget films can often succeed through strong writing or inventive direction, this one struggles on nearly every front. The lack of a compelling screenplay, combined with weak performances and unfocused direction, results in a film that never truly engages. Rather than leaving an impression, it fades quickly from memory, standing as a reminder that ambition alone is not enough without solid execution to support it.

Hank Schrader off shoot, and a cheap one at that. The characters who bear relevance to the plot only have just barley skin deep stories and background. The plot itself lacks intellect but it seems the target audience isn't able to comprehend much more than, 'good guy kills bad guys, drugs bad!' Overall I feel 3 stars is generous.