Writer of hilarious genre films like Cocaine Bear and The Babysitter, Jimmy Warden is back but this time he is in the director’s chair with a comedy-thriller about a delusional stalker and a pop-star who just wants to survive.

“I hate it when they show the ending but I just couldn’t help myself” 

After this cheeky opening, the audience is formally introduced to Paul (Ray Nicholson) on the doorstep of the home of 90’s popstar, Sofia (Samara Weaving). Bell (Eric Dane), her loyal bodyguard, answers the door and has to do whatever he can to get Paul to leave. Paul is not just some overly zealous fan, but a stalker who is much more erratic and dangerous than Nicholson’s charming face initially suggests. This scene meanders until you wonder where, if anywhere, is this heading–until Paul’s violent tendencies are finally revealed when he stabs Bell. 

Six months later, Bell is back after recovering from his injuries but he is not the only one with his eyes set on getting back into the company of Sofia. Paul has executed an elaborate escape from a mental health facility and is determined to make Sofia his bride. 

Despite Borderline’s reliance on the connection between its title and Madonna’s pop song of the same name, released on her debut self-titled album, audiences may not be privy to the fact that the premise is borrowed from the pop icon’s own run-in with a delusional stalker who claimed she was his wife and threatened if he couldn’t have her, “he was going to slash her throat from ear to ear.” After being convicted to a ten year prison sentence in 1996 for stalking and threatening her, Hoskins was in and out of mental health facilities and was considered highly psychotic and extremely violent. Many other celebrities like Sandra Bullock and Rhianna have had violent men break into their homes, driven by their extreme infatuation. Fast forward to 2025, and this is the premise of first time director Jimmy Warden’s comedy thriller…

Samara Weaving is no stranger to overnight survival thrillers, having previously starred in films like Ready or Not (2019) and, most recently, Azrael (2024). Her status as a Scream Queen, as well as Ray Nicholson’s haunting smile, is a huge draw for this film. Without a doubt, this duo is exciting to watch and we can only imagine who their careers will continue to grow, yet there is something superficial about the way these characters are written. Perhaps this is intentional, since Sofia is supposed to be this big star who is aloof and distant from her surroundings–so much so that Rhodes (Jimmy Fails), the basketball player with whom Sofia is currently involved, has to comment that “rich is a state of mind.” However, these grievances that Rhodes displays as one of the only grounded characters never carry weight that can be felt through any sort of growth on Sofia’s part. Not to mention, it is difficult to measure how much the film wants us to fear Paul or laugh with him, leaving the audience in a weird limbo between demonizing a clearly delusional man and willfully laughing along with a scary reality that many women face. Many of the film’s more serious moments, such as the truly terror-inducing moments when Paul quietly lurks in the shadows as Sofia meanders through her dark house, are undercut by the film’s comedic moments. This creates a feeling of tonal whiplash and the film never truly masters the balance needed for a great horror comedy. 

To be clear, this film is a fun time. It is easy to have a blast with all of the characters on screen, including Paul’s sidekicks J.H. (Patrick Cox) and Penny (Alba Baptista) and considering the film is about a pop star, there is no shortage of catchy hits laced throughout. When the film aims for violence, it is a shock. When the film aims for tension, it’ll have you on edge. When the film aims for the vibe of a twisted rom-com, you’ll laugh. But just like Sofia’s puzzles, there is a piece missing when all of it comes together. 

Grade: C+

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: None 

Where to Watch: In Select Theaters and On Demand