Eli Roth’s Borderlands movie, now in theaters, brings the vibrant world of Pandora to life with a fresh take on the beloved video game series. While the film stays true to the game’s colorful universe and action-packed essence, several significant differences set it apart from its source material. Here are the five biggest differences between the Borderlands film and the video games:
1. Character Roster Adjustments
The movie’s character lineup diverges notably from the video game’s extensive roster. In the film, only Lilith and Roland from the first Borderlands game make an appearance, while fan-favorites like Mordecai and Brick are notably absent. The film introduces Tiny Tina, a character who gained popularity in Borderlands 2, and focuses more on Lilith’s storyline. Characters such as Zer0 and Maya are missing from the film, a consequence of the movie’s limited runtime of one hour and 41 minutes. Director Eli Roth acknowledged that while he aimed to include as many characters as possible, some had to be cut to streamline the story, with hopes to address these omissions in potential future installments.
2. Tina’s Altered Backstory
The film reimagines Tiny Tina’s origins dramatically. Unlike in the games, where Tina is a regular Pandora resident with a backstory involving her parents being sold to Hyperion, the movie presents her as a genetically modified clone created from Erridian blood. This significant alteration elevates her role, making her a central figure capable of unlocking the Vault and accessing ancient technology, thus placing her at the heart of the film’s plot.
3. Lilith’s Evolving Powers
In the game, Lilith is introduced as a Siren with established abilities from the start, with her role in unlocking the vault being a known element. However, the film depicts Lilith as a bounty hunter initially devoid of special powers. Her abilities are gradually revealed and become central to the climax of the movie. This transformation from a normal bounty hunter to a powerful figure reflects a common movie trope of discovering and embracing one’s true potential, giving Lilith’s powers a more dramatic and significant arc compared to the game.
4. Knoxx’s Character Evolution
The film presents Commander Knoxx, portrayed by Janina Gavankar, with a revised backstory and role. Unlike the game’s Knoxx, who is a loyal soldier with no personal ties to Roland, the film’s Knoxx has a hinted past relationship with him, leading to a conflicted allegiance. The film’s version of Knoxx tries to switch sides but is quickly killed by Atlas. In contrast, the game’s Knoxx remains steadfast in his mission and meets his end at the hands of the Vault Hunters, making the film’s Knoxx a more complex and tragic character, with similarities to Commandant Steele from the first game.
5. The New Villain: Deukalian Atlas
In the video games, Atlas is portrayed as a company that manufactures weapons and controls the Crimson Lance. The film introduces Deukalian Atlas, played by Édgar Ramírez, as the CEO and main antagonist. This new character is obsessed with finding the Vault and believes it contains powerful weapons. The film’s Atlas diverges from the game’s more generic corporate villain, sharing some traits with Handsome Jack from Borderlands 2, who is a notorious antagonist in the series.
These changes reflect the film’s adaptation of the Borderlands universe to fit its narrative constraints and cinematic approach. While the movie retains the essence of the game’s wild and chaotic world, these differences highlight the creative liberties taken to bring the story to the big screen.
