Borderlands
Lilith, an infamous outlaw with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home planet of Pandora to find the missing daughter of the universe's most powerful S.O.B., Atlas. Lilith forms an alliance with an unexpected team - Roland, a former elite mercenary, now desperate for redemption; Tiny Tina, a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg, Tina's musclebound, rhetorically challenged protector; Tannis, the scientist with a tenuous grip on sanity; and Claptrap, a persistently wiseass robot. These unlikely heroes must battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find and protect the missing girl, who may hold the key to unimaginable power. The fate of the universe could be in their hands - but they'll be fighting for something more: each other.
The film commercial failure against its considerable budget of $115.0M, earning $33.0M globally (-71% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its fresh perspective within the action genre.
1 win & 12 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Borderlands (2024) exemplifies strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Eli Roth's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lilith
Roland
Tiny Tina
Tannis
Claptrap
Krieg
Atlas
Main Cast & Characters
Lilith
Played by Cate Blanchett
A legendary thief and Siren with supernatural powers, hired to rescue Atlas's daughter from the dangerous planet Pandora.
Roland
Played by Kevin Hart
A former soldier and leader of the Crimson Lance who becomes a key ally in the mission on Pandora.
Tiny Tina
Played by Ariana Greenblatt
A demolitions expert and Atlas's unpredictable teenage daughter who holds secrets about an ancient alien vault.
Tannis
Played by Jamie Lee Curtis
An eccentric scientist and archaeologist obsessed with studying Pandora's alien vaults and their mysteries.
Claptrap
Played by Jack Black
A wisecracking, neurotic robot who serves as comic relief and reluctant guide through Pandora's dangers.
Krieg
Played by Florian Munteanu
A masked psycho warrior with berserker rage who becomes Tiny Tina's protective companion.
Atlas
Played by Édgar Ramírez
A powerful corporate mogul who hires Lilith to find his daughter on Pandora.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lilith works as a cynical, hardened bounty hunter in the galaxy, operating solo and trusting no one after leaving her past on Pandora behind.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Atlas Corporation CEO forces Lilith to return to Pandora—the planet she swore never to revisit—to rescue his daughter Tiny Tina, who has been kidnapped.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Lilith chooses to land on Pandora, crossing back into the violent wasteland she escaped. She commits to the rescue mission and enters the chaos of the Borderlands., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The team is captured or separated. Tiny Tina is taken by Atlas. Lilith faces the devastating truth about her past and her mother's sacrifice. All seems lost as the Vault begins to open., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Lilith leads the team in a final assault on Atlas forces. Using her powers and trusting her companions, they rescue Tina, prevent the Vault's destructive opening, and defeat the antagonist together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Borderlands's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Borderlands against these established plot points, we can identify how Eli Roth utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Borderlands within the action genre.
Eli Roth's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Eli Roth films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Borderlands takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Eli Roth filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Eli Roth analyses, see The House with a Clock in Its Walls, Knock Knock and The Green Inferno.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lilith works as a cynical, hardened bounty hunter in the galaxy, operating solo and trusting no one after leaving her past on Pandora behind.
Theme
A character mentions that "family isn't who you're born to, it's who you choose," foreshadowing Lilith's journey from lone wolf to found family.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the chaotic universe, Lilith's mercenary skills, the legend of the Vault on Pandora, and the power-hungry Atlas Corporation seeking ancient alien technology.
Disruption
Atlas Corporation CEO forces Lilith to return to Pandora—the planet she swore never to revisit—to rescue his daughter Tiny Tina, who has been kidnapped.
Resistance
Lilith resists returning to her traumatic past on Pandora. She reluctantly prepares, gathering intel and wrestling with buried memories of her mysterious origins on the deadly planet.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lilith chooses to land on Pandora, crossing back into the violent wasteland she escaped. She commits to the rescue mission and enters the chaos of the Borderlands.
Premise
The ragtag team adventures across Pandora's dangerous landscape, seeking Vault keys. Action-packed sequences showcase each character's abilities as they bond through combat and narrow escapes.
Opposition
Atlas forces close in aggressively. Lilith's secrets about her connection to Pandora surface, creating team friction. The true danger of the Vault becomes clear—it could destroy the planet.
Collapse
The team is captured or separated. Tiny Tina is taken by Atlas. Lilith faces the devastating truth about her past and her mother's sacrifice. All seems lost as the Vault begins to open.
Crisis
Lilith wrestles with her identity and whether she can trust others. She processes her mother's legacy and confronts the choice between running away again or fighting for her newfound family.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Lilith leads the team in a final assault on Atlas forces. Using her powers and trusting her companions, they rescue Tina, prevent the Vault's destructive opening, and defeat the antagonist together.