Borderline

Not the best, far from the worst. But in the age where everything is being recycled and there seems to be an utter lack of creativity, this was something a bit clever. Its focus on mental health was done in an intentional way, and the 90's styling and music was a nice addition. Overall, decent movie to pass the time and if you're looking for an Oscar award winner well this isn't it, but just some 90's glam fun and a quirky unique film then this could be for you.

Is this the best movie I've ever seen? Obviously not but it's fun. And at least it's not another remake! I don't get why some people are super low balling the rating for this. It's a solid 5/6, not a 2, or the 8s I've seen, but hopefully that counteracts the 2s. It's a fun dark comedy. Definitely silly at times but go with it and allow it to be silly. I thought the cast was good. Though it seems Samara is getting a bit type casted in these roles. Ray Nicholson looks just like his father but hes pretty good at playing crazy. This movie made me laugh and it was a good choice for a rainy weekend afternoon. Not everything has to be a masterpiece, this is original and paced well.

"Borderline" had the ingredients to be something truly special, but instead, it settles for being just fine. The film teases a bold and sharp-edged narrative, yet it never fully embraces its potential, leaving an overall experience that is enjoyable in parts but frustratingly uneven.

The movie struggles with pacing. Several scenes drag on far longer than necessary, turning initially amusing or interesting moments into awkward stretches that overstay their welcome. More than once, I found myself thinking, "Why is this scene still going? It was funny a minute ago, but now it's just uncomfortable." This inconsistent rhythm makes the film feel sluggish at times, dampening its impact.

While the humor worked for me in many places-thanks to my appreciation for dark, offbeat comedy-it might not land for everyone. The film walks a fine line between being cleverly absurd and just feeling directionless. There are glimpses of brilliance in the writing, but they often get buried under scenes that lack focus or feel like they're stalling for time.

On the positive side, I really liked the character of Penny. Her dialogue, delivery, and presence (even if minimal) add energy to the film, making it feel brighter and more engaging whenever she's on screen. Her wit and charisma create some of the film's best moments.

Overall, "Borderline" could have been so much more. It had the potential to be a sharp, biting dark comedy, but instead, it settles for being intermittently amusing and frustratingly uneven. It's a film that I wanted to love but could only like-and just barely.

Borderline certainly has its moments, especially in the first and second acts, with events unfolding at a rapid pace and characters getting established. I could easily buy Samara Weaving as a 90s pop star (who needed to sing a lot more in the film), Ray Nicholson as a romantic stalker-sociopath (man, this guy's got the presence and the "killer" smile!), and Eric Dane as a bodyguard (somehow, the protagonist?). Alba Baptista also gets a notably wacky role. The performances are pretty good, the lighting choices are great, and the colour palette is interesting. And oh yes, I really enjoyed the soundtrack.

What doesn't hit a home-run, for me, is basically the watered-down third act (..even when there are enough stabbings and some darkly funny moments). The film desperately needed more of Ray Nicholson than the rest, but the man simply chews up the scenery whenever he's present. The showdown between Samara Weaving and Alba Baptista was enjoyable. It's just that the film can't entirely stick the landing in terms of its tonality, thereby not ending up as memorable given the potential we see early on. Also, they didn't give the romance angle (between Sofia & Rhodes) any real build-up, and it ends up looking weak as hell.

Jimmy Warden's directorial debut, Borderline, attempts to fuse a home-invasion thriller with dark comedy, but the result is a tonal mess that never quite finds its footing. The film, set in the 1990s, follows a pop star (Samara Weaving) whose mansion is invaded by a delusional, sociopathic fan (Ray Nicholson). While the premise has potential, the script oscillates wildly between genuinely tense moments and jarringly misplaced attempts at humor, often undercutting the very suspense it tries to build. Nicholson delivers a committed performance, channeling a certain unsettling charisma, but the character is too cartoonish to be truly menacing. Samara Weaving is, as always, a magnetic presence, but she is often left to react to the film's chaotic and nonsensical events. Eric Dane is largely wasted in a supporting role. The film's biggest flaw is its inability to decide what it wants to be, resulting in a confusing and ultimately unmemorable experience.

Is it worth watching? No, it's a frustratingly inconsistent film that fails to live up to the promise of its cast and premise.