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 emerged regarding uncredited work.

A Rocky Premiere:

The Eli Roth-directed adaptation currently boasts 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, despite some positive comments about the design. Early social media reactions echoed these sentiments, labeling the film as "lifeless," "terrible," and "uninspired." However, a more positive audience score of 49% suggests a divergence in opinion, with some viewers appreciating the film's action and crude humor, though acknowledging potential lore inconsistencies.

Uncredited Work Sparks Controversy:

Adding to the film's woes, freelance rigger Robbie Reid recently revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that he and the character modeler for Claptrap were not given screen credit. Reid, who has previously received credit for all his film work, expressed disappointment, particularly given Claptrap's significance. He speculated that the omission might stem from him and the artist leaving their studio in 2021, highlighting a common, yet unfortunate, industry issue. He concluded by expressing hope that the situation could spur positive change in how the industry treats and credits artists.

The Borderlands movie's troubled premiere thus highlights not only critical disappointment but also underlying issues within the film industry's crediting practices.