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The long-awaited Borderlands movie finally hit theatres on 8th August 2024 and has finally transitioned into digital media less than three weeks after its release. Directed by Eli Roth, the film has faced a turbulent journey from production to release, with reshoots, delays, and a significant creative overhaul. Despite its star-studded cast, including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black, the movie has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, holding piss poor 9% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Our very own critic at High on Films called it the ‘worst movie of the year.’ Now, as more viewers are likely to pay attention to the video game adaptation after its lukewarm performance during the theatrical run, the chaotic and action-packed events that unfold on the desolate planet of Pandora, many may find themselves being puzzled by Borderlands (2024)’s various turns and ending.
The story, which centers on a group of unlikely misfits trying to save a missing girl who holds the key to an extraordinary power, leads to a finale that leaves more questions than answers. In the following article, I will breakdown key moments from the film, in particular what the ending of Borderlands (2024) wants to convey. Please be aware that this will be full of spoilers, so please proceed at your own discretion.
Borderlands (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
What is the movie ‘Borderlands’ about?
Set on the dystopian planet of Pandora, a once-thriving world now reduced to a desolate wasteland, Borderlands follows Lilith (Cate Blanchett), a skilled and ruthless bounty hunter with a troubled past. After years away from Pandora, she’s reluctantly drawn back to her home planet by a mysterious and wealthy corporate magnate named Atlas (Edgar Ramírez), who offers her a lucrative job: to find and retrieve his missing daughter, Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt). Despite her initial reluctance, Lilith agrees to the mission after Atlas wires her a significant sum of money upfront.
Who is Tiny Tina?
Upon arriving on Pandora, Lilith is confronted with the grim reality of her past. The planet is a shadow of what it once was, full of dangerous inhabitants and dark memories. She quickly realizes this mission is far more complex and personal than initially thought. Tiny Tina, the supposed daughter of Atlas, has been taken by a mercenary soldier named Roland (Kevin Hart) and his unstable sidekick, Krieg (Florian Munteanu). However, as Lilith digs deeper, she discovers that Atlas’s intentions are far from noble.
It turns out that Tina is not Atlas’s biological daughter but a clone he created using the ancient and mysterious Eridian blood.
What is the vault?
The Eridians were an advanced alien race that once inhabited Pandora. They are believed to have left behind powerful secrets and technology hidden within a legendary vault. Atlas’s true goal is to use Tina to access this vault, hoping to unlock its treasures and wield its immense power.
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Realizing that Atlas is manipulating Tina, Lilith changes sides, teaming up with Roland, Krieg, and Claptrap (voiced by Jack Black), a quirky robot programmed to assist her at all costs. Together, they form a ragtag group of “Vault Hunters” who must navigate the army of demons-like people and the landscape of Pandora, including Atlas’s private army, the Crimson Lance, as well as tribes of Psychos and other threats that lurk around every corner.
Borderlands (2024) Movie ending Explained:
After fighting off most of the forces opposing them, the group rests for a while. There, Tina overhears Lilith talking to Atlas, which makes her make a hasty decision. Lilith regains consciousness after being knocked out by a bomb set off by Tina. Tina mistakenly believes that Lilith had betrayed her after Atlas had asked her to turn on Tina.
With Lilith temporarily out of the picture, Tina, Krieg, and Dr. Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis) head to the newly discovered vault entrance, determined to open it using Tina’s supposed Eridian heritage.
What does Lilith discover at her home?
Meanwhile, Lilith, accompanied by the robot Claptrap, stumbles upon her childhood home on Pandora. There, she finds a hologram of her deceased mother (Haley Bennett), which reveals crucial information: Lilith, not Tina, is Eridia’s true daughter and the only one capable of opening the vault. This revelation is pivotal, as it reshapes the group’s understanding of the mission and Lilith’s role.
At the vault entrance, Tina fails to open the vault, which shatters her belief that she is the key to its secrets. Atlas arrives with his army, planning to kill Tina, whom he now views as a failed experiment. As a fight ensues, Commander Knoxx (Janina Gavankar), the leader of Atlas’ forces, has a change of heart and switches sides, but Atlas quickly vaporizes her. Roland also arrives on the scene, guns blazing, to aid Tina and the others.
What is the final key to the vault?
When all seems lost, Lilith arrives and reveals that she is the true Daughter of Eridia. With this revelation, she steps up to the vault entrance and begins the process of opening it. As she does, she transforms dramatically, unlocking her hidden powers as the Firehawk, an Eridian deity prophesied to protect Pandora. Fiery wings sprout from Lilith’s back, and she gains the ability to fly, creating energy shields around her friends, allowing them to fight back against Atlas’ forces.
Despite her newfound powers, Lilith is not able to protect Tina from getting caught by Atlas, who demands that Lilith take him inside the vault. Reluctantly, Lilith agrees and uses her phasewalking ability to transport herself, Tina, and Atlas into the vault. Inside, Atlas is mesmerized by the ancient artifacts and treasures of the Eridian civilization. However, before he can claim his prize, Tina kicks him in the leg and escapes to Lilith’s side.
The ending of Borderlands (2024) sees a massive tentacled creatures, which is implied to be the Destroyer—a powerful intergalactic entity from the Borderlands games emerging from the depths of the vault. The creature grabs Atlas and drags him into the void, ending his quest for ultimate power.
Lilith and Tina, using Lilith’s powers, manage to escape the vault just in time. With Atlas defeated and the vault’s secrets safeguarded, the film closes with Lilith and her allies safe but forever changed by their journey. It is implied that Lilith will remain on Pandora, embracing her role as the Firehawk and protector of the planet, while Tina and the others stand by her side, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Does Borderlands (2024) have a post-credit scene?
Borderlands doesn’t have a traditional post-credit scene. However, after the main credits are over, Claptrap pops up on the screen and begins his usual singing and dancing routine until the credits start hitting him. When that does happen, you can see him there by the credits, insisting that he is just trying to entertain the audience.
