Borderline: Come for Samara Weaving, and stay for Ray Nicholson. An unsettling story with just enough humor and gore to keep things interesting.
As much as I love Ray Nicholson’s performance in Smile 2, I was interested in Borderline because of Samara Weaving. Ready or Not remains one of my favorite films of all time, perfectly blending horror and comedy, and I am thrilled for the sequel. While Weaving is fantastic in this film, Nicholson overshadows her, which I did not expect.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this has nothing to do with Weaving and everything to do with the script and Nicholson’s deliciously creepy performance. He plays a delusional stalker who breaks into the home of a pop star (played by Weaving) determined to marry her. In his head, he believes they are happy together, but of course, she doesn’t know him at all.
This movie is a lot of fun, which comes as no surprise when you look at the creatives behind it. The writer of Cocaine Bear and the producers of Saltburn and Barbie all come from some of my favorite films. Perhaps it is because of that I set expectations a little too high.
I had a good time, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted just a little bit more. Weaving is so good at playing strong and independent females, but the script here pushes her to the background more than she should be. This could also be because of how mesmerizing Nicholson’s performance is.
The movie mostly focuses on one terrifying evening, and while there are a lot of predictable moments, there are also some great surprises in store for viewers. Nicholson brilliantly portrays this man. He is twisted, dark, and sometimes violent, and commands attention in every scene he is in.
While there is some humor weaved in, with a handful of laugh-out-loud moments, Borderline is more of a thriller than anything else. There are several on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments that will have viewers watching through their fingers as they try to anticipate what could happen next.
Eric Dane plays Weaving’s bodyguard and Patrick Cox portrays Nicholson’s right-hand man. These two might be supporting characters, but each of them shines whenever they are on screen. They perfectly round out the film, doing exactly what they are meant to in each scene.
Cox does a phenomenal job when it comes to comedic timing. His character, J.H., offers up a lot of the humor in the film – especially in his conversations with Nicholson. These two have great chemistry. Whenever they are on screen together, you know it going to be a good time.
When it comes to the violence, there are some truly unforgettable scenes. Unafraid to push the envelope, Borderline does a wonderful job of showcasing how terrifying a mentally unstable stalker can be. While Weaving’s character does feel pushed to the side at times, and not really ever front and center, she does an incredible job with what she is given.
Borderline comes to theaters, and will be available on digital, on March 14.
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About Borderline
COCAINE BEAR writer Jimmy Warden makes his twisted directorial debut in this edge- of-your-seat thriller that follows a dangerously persistent stalker (SMILE 2’s Ray Nicholson) who invades the home of a ‘90s pop superstar (READY OR NOT’s Samara Weaving) with grand delusions of a wedding. With her life on the line and help from her loyal bodyguard, she must escape the stalker’s sinister grip before they tie the knot.
Magnet Releasing will release Borderline in theaters and on digital March 14, 2025.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.