The Borderlands – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Borderlands

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

British found-footage horror about Vatican investigators vs. paranormal forces—critics liked it more than audiences did.

83%

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The Borderlands

movie

R, 2014

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

British found-footage horror about Vatican investigators vs. paranormal forces—critics liked it more than audiences did.

83%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be clear: this is an adult horror film that has zero business on a family media platform except to say 'keep this away from kids.'

That said, if you're a horror fan, the critic-audience split is interesting. Critics gave it 83%, audiences gave it 49%. That usually means it's either artfully made but slow, or it subverts genre expectations in ways that disappoint casual viewers. The 5.8 IMDb and 3.1 Letterboxd scores suggest it's competent but not essential—even for horror devotees.

The Vatican investigators angle is a nice touch, and British horror tends to favor atmosphere over jump scares. But with so many stronger horror options out there, this feels like a 'if you've exhausted everything else' recommendation. It's currently on Tubi, so at least it won't cost you anything but time.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult horror (17+) with disturbing paranormal content. The Common Sense Media rating is clear: this is not for teens, let alone children. Even for adults, the mixed audience reception suggests it's only for dedicated horror fans who appreciate slow-burn found-footage style.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a found-footage horror film featuring Vatican investigators encountering disturbing paranormal events. The tone is tense, unsettling, and designed to frighten—not emotionally healthy viewing for most audiences. While there's no gratuitous content, the psychological horror and claustrophobic atmosphere create sustained dread rather than anything resembling wholesomeness.

Imaginative

The premise of Vatican investigators exploring paranormal activity in the British countryside offers an interesting twist on found-footage horror. The religious investigation angle adds a layer of intrigue, and the film reportedly builds tension through atmosphere rather than jump scares. However, it's a fairly standard horror setup that doesn't break new ground in the genre.

Safe

This is a horror film with a Common Sense Media age rating of 17+. Found-footage horror by nature creates intense psychological tension and disturbing imagery. The 'more disturbing than they first imagined' synopsis signals escalating horror content. Not remotely appropriate for children—this would be genuinely frightening and potentially traumatic for young viewers.

Enriching

As a psychological horror film exploring faith and the supernatural, there's some thematic weight around belief, investigation, and confronting the unknown. The Vatican investigator angle touches on religious questions. However, the primary goal is to scare, not to educate or build meaningful skills. Limited enrichment value beyond genre appreciation.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting solid craft for the genre
The Vatican investigation angle offers a different entry point than typical ghost stories
Found-footage style can create genuine tension when done well
For horror fans who appreciate slow-burn psychological scares over gore

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What to Watch For

This is rated 17+ and is genuinely disturbing—not remotely kid-appropriate
Audience scores are middling (49% RT, 5.8 IMDb)—the critic-audience split suggests it's divisive
Found-footage format isn't for everyone; can feel slow or induce motion sickness
British pacing and tone may feel slower than American horror

Conversation Starters

"What makes something genuinely scary versus just startling?"
"How do you think investigators would actually approach claims of paranormal activity?"
"Why do you think critics liked this more than regular audiences did?"

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