Borderline Stars and Filmmaker Talk Bringing the Twisted New Thriller to Life


Fandoms stemming from popular culture can be a source of joy and self-expression, allowing individuals to delve deeper into their favorite topics and find temporary relief from everyday life. However, fandom can also have a sinister aspect when some fans become excessively passionate, leading to dangerous infatuation that has the potential to shatter lives. The upcoming thriller “Borderline” tackles this issue, focusing on a stalker who persistently pursues a renowned ’90s pop star with the aim of marrying her. Although the movie is fictional, such scenarios regrettably mirror real-life occurrences, enabling the lead actress, Samara Weaving (portraying Sofia, the pop star), to draw on personal experiences for her performance.

Absolutely, it’s safe to say that some aspects from that era were certainly considered when preparing her role. In the ’90s, a pop star, particularly a woman, needed immense strength and courage to handle the media scrutiny. Add to that the challenge of navigating a male-dominated industry while also dealing with physical stalking, as opposed to just online harassment. Yes, these experiences from the ’90s definitely influenced her portrayal.

In a nutshell, “Borderline” is a nerve-wracking thriller directed by Jimmy Warden (of “Cocaine Bear” fame), where we follow the story of a tenacious stalker, Ray Nicholson from “Smile 2”, who infiltrates the home of a ’90s pop star, Samara Weaving from “Ready or Not”. The stalker harbors delusional wedding plans. With her life at stake and aid from her steadfast bodyguard, she desperately tries to break free from the stalker’s clutches before their nuptials take place.

In non-spoiler terms, the climactic scene in “Borderline” is sure to spark conversations among viewers. Actor Ray Nicholson, portraying the character of the stalker, Paul, shared some insights on how this pivotal moment unfolded during filming.

Jimmy, the movie’s director, had a concept about executing it, and we were cruising around in a car on the same circular route, essentially brainstorming, he explained. It was one of those spontaneous things that wasn’t premeditated. In truth, I can’t find another way to put it. It felt almost like divine inspiration. I don’t know how else to describe it. It was simply one of those instances where you just let go and stop thinking actively.

Nicholson also touched on his character’s state of mind during that scene.

Nicholson stated that the last instance might symbolize reality intruding, followed by the character’s instinctive response to shove it away once more. He believes this is akin to mental illness; there’s a harsh truth that he can’t cope with, and instead, he prefers to retreat back into his illusion.

Music enthusiasts would notice that the movie’s title shares a name with a 1984 song by Madonna, which is fitting considering the film’s theme. However, Warden didn’t draw inspiration from her song – instead, the title “Borderline” was more influenced by The Flaming Lips’ cover of the track. Upon listening to it, Warden found that it significantly altered his perception of the story the song conveys.

The filmmaker acknowledged that the idea originated from the Madonna song, but he clarified that his interpretation was influenced by the Flaming Lips’ cover version. He explained that once he listened to it, the storyline transformed in his mind, presenting a different perspective – a male one – which he found less creepy compared to the original.

Borderline will be released in theaters and on Digital March 14th. 

Read More

2025-03-05 02:53