‘Borderline’ Review

Stars: Samara Weaving, Ray Nicholson, Eric Dane, Jimmy Fails, Alba Baptista | Written and Directed by Jimmy Warden

Borderline, the debut feature from director Jimmy Warden, is an ambitious well-executed blend of psychological thriller, dark comedy and the classic home invasion. Set in the 1990s, the film centres on Sofia (Samara Weaving), a pop superstar whose life spirals into chaos when Paul (Ray Nicholson), a delusional and obsessive fan, escapes from a mental institution and invades her Los Angeles mansion. Paul, convinced Sofia is his destined-to-be bride, transforms her home into a surreal wedding venue, complete with decorations, vows, and a warped sense of romance. Sofia, with the help of her loyal bodyguard Bell (Eric Dane) and her could be, maybe, real boyfriend Rhodes (Jimmy Fails – who I think gets the best line of dialogue of the movie) must navigate Paul’s psychological games and survive the night. Produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap, the film aims to explore themes of celebrity obsession, delusion, and survival.

Samara Weaving delivers yet another of her standout performances as Sofia. Carrying the film with her ability to balance terror, sarcasm, and reluctant participation in Paul’s twisted fantasy. Her portrayal is both vulnerable and fierce, capturing Sofia’s evolution from a panicked victim to a resourceful survivor. Weaving’s chemistry with Nicholson is electric, particularly in scenes where Sofia is forced to play along with Paul’s delusions. Her ability to inject humour into moments of dread with her deadpan delivery elevates the already superb material.

Ray Nicholson, in his first major lead role, brings a wildly theatrical energy to Paul. His performance toggles between charming and menacing, with an unpredictable edge that keeps the audience on a swivel. Nicholson’s physicality and expressive face make Paul a compelling antagonist, at times leaving you to ponder if you actually have sympathy for the character. I honestly have not enjoyed a wildly complex villain like this since Heath Ledger’s Joker. I’m not saying we are on the same level here but watch the closing credits and then tell me this is not your favourite performance of 2025 so far. It’s a truly masterclass turn.

Alba Baptista, as Paul’s volatile accomplice Penny, steals scenes with her chaotic, cartoonish energy. Her character is a wildcard, oscillating between loyalty to Paul and her own unhinged impulses. Baptista’s standout moment comes during a bizarre yet strangely on-brand and truly wonderful Celine Dion duet with Weaving, which ends in a brutal brawl that leans into the film’s dark humour. Eric Dane, as Bell, provides a subdued audience member feeling to the madness, although he doesn’t get to do a lot he certainly grounds the piece and echoes this viewer’s well-earned dumbfoundedness in certain moments.

Borderline thrives on the psychological and manipulation aspects rather than traditional home invasion thrills. Paul’s gaslighting and coercion create an unsettling dynamic, with Sofia and her cohorts forced to navigate his delusions while searching for an escape. The film’s most memorable scenes lean into this psychological tension, blending humour, tension, and brutality.

The film’s 1990s setting adds another level to the proceedings. It leans heavily into nostalgia with references to the era’s pop culture, cracking music, and new-age technology (like bulky cell phones and CRT televisions). The production design by Eve McCarney captures the period’s aesthetic, with Sofia’s mansion decked out in gaudy Liberace decor and Paul’s wedding setup featuring tacky 90s flourishes. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise as Jimmy Warden was on writing duties for the Netflix movie Babysitter: Killer Queen which does share a similar tone and feel as well as real-life wife Weaving putting on a clinic in both.

One thing I will say though, there was a little bit of a missed opportunity in the lack of original music from Sofia, despite her pop star status. The film does rely on covers of existing 90s hits, which for a movie about a pop star feels a tad out of whack although there are moments when Sofia says things like “Oh I didn’t write that one” usually followed by a character saying “Yeah I know, this one is good” which I dunno, does kinda feel like a dig at the wider world and its perception of our pop princess.

Cinematographer Michael Alden Lloyd brings a dynamic visual style to Borderline, with tight, claustrophobic shots inside Sofia’s mansion contrasting with wider, more disorienting angles during Paul’s delusional episodes. The lighting shifts from warm, nostalgic hues to cold, menacing tones, reflecting the character’s urgency.

Borderline aims to explore themes of celebrity obsession, delusion, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy. Paul’s fixation on Sofia reflects broader societal issues, particularly in the age of social media. From time to time, the film’s treatment of these themes is a tad surface-level, with little exploration of Sofia’s inner life or Paul’s actual real mental state beyond his delusions. This means we don’t quite get to the levels of movies like The Fan or King of Comedy in terms of “The Message”. I don’t hold the movie to task for this, as it’s a tight 90-odd minutes that doesn’t need to get bogged down if it doesn’t have to.

Borderline is a brilliant, genre mishmash that’s worth a watch for its bold swings, that for the most part, knock them out of the park. Weaving, Baptista and Nicholson deliver compelling memorable performances, and the film’s standout moments, like the piano scene, and Penny’s chaotic energy to her final moments and that is all before that final ceremony, make it memorable. Ultimately, Borderline is a film that takes itself just seriously enough to earn every little audience reaction for when it does ratchet up the crazy. The movies ambition and the sheer commitment from Nicholson to this performance make this a worthwhile date night entry.

***** 5/5

I had heard nothing about Borderline and was so freaking entertained and impressed, any other score would be cheating my enjoyment. Get it watched.