Director Eli Roth has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent Borderlands film adaptation, suggesting that its significant budget and the studio's push for a PG-13 rating resulted in a product that pleased no one. Roth indicated that the substantial $120 million budget led to increased executive caution, steering the production away from his preferred 'left of center' approach.
According to Roth, the film's PG-13 rating, mandated by Lionsgate executives, was a misstep. He argued that an authentic adaptation of Borderlands, known for its ultraviolent and gore-filled gameplay, would necessitate a more extreme rating. This creative compromise, he stated, resulted in a film that was neither suitable for children nor true to the gaming experience fans expected. "You got something that belonged to nobody," Roth told Variety. "It’s not a kids’ movie, but it’s trying to appeal to everybody. It’s for gamers, but it doesn’t have the violence the gamers want because it can’t be that extreme because it costs too much. You just wind up with a movie that’s neither fish nor fowl."
This sentiment was echoed by critics. PC Gamer's Joshua Wolens described the film as "bland tasteless mush that no one involved seemed interested in saving." Other outlets, including IGN, also delivered largely negative reviews.
Despite the critical reception of the film, the Borderlands games themselves are recognized for their storytelling, with Borderlands 2 and Telltale's Tales From The Borderlands receiving praise. However, the poor performance of the film adaptation suggests that further cinematic endeavors for the franchise may be unlikely in the near future.