Borrowed: Review

15th December 2022

Borrowed: Review. By Joe Muldoon.

Developed from the play written by multi-award-winning Broadway producer Jim Kierstead, Borrowed is a dark psychological drama-thriller jointly directed by Carlos Rafael Betancourt and Oscar Ernesto Ortega. A deeply troubled reclusive artist, David (Jonathan Del Arco), has invited a young man, Justin (Héctor Medina), to his secluded home. With overt flirtation beginning immediately upon Justin’s arrival, it’s clear that the two are attracted to one another. Over the course of the evening, Justin models for David as he paints, and the two have an almost romantic meal together. The intention behind the occasion of Justin’s visit is somewhat unclear; has David invited him with the pretence of purely doing some casual modelling, or was a dinner always planned?

At the end of their meal together, Justin announces his departure, but is stopped by David, clearly yearning for his company. David continually prevents Justin from leaving, and proceeds to hold him captive for the next few days, during which they get to know each other. The premise is strange, because Justin alternates between desperately attempting to escape, and then being affectionate towards his captor. Escape attempts are made in some instances, but left untried in other instances in which there’s ample opportunity. It’s difficult to ascertain whether he has some form of conflicted Stockholm Syndrome, or is simply biding his time.

As we spend more time with the pair, we learn that David has a drug-addicted son whose whereabouts are unknown, and that Justin has daddy issues – naturally, these issues affect the dynamic between the two, with them acting as strange surrogates for those missing in one another’s lives. Perhaps the most interesting exchange between the two happens towards the end, with Justin handcuffed and David angrily painting; Justin points out that David’s projection of his own issues unto Justin will do nothing to solve them, and won’t bring him any closer to his son. A glimpse of possible hope is offered towards the end, and the audience is left to decide whether or not David will get the help and closure he needs.

The cinematography is stunning, Del Arco and Medina are outstanding in their roles, and some interesting ideas are placed into the shifting power dynamics between the two, but something about their exchanges feels unnatural, especially on Julian’s part, making the overall film feel somewhat unfulfilled. His toing and froing between attraction and desperation go beyond confliction, and instead come across as downright confusion. Greater consistency of his feelings towards his predicament would’ve been more effective, and would’ve avoided the emotional whiplash. The film shines brightest when David’s veneer of control begins to slip, and his vulnerability becomes more apparent to Justin. Despite its inconsistencies, Borrowed is an engaging thriller, and provides some thought-provoking moments.

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