The Borrower (1989)

30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(102 ratings)

John McNaughton's flawed but interesting follow-up to Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer languished in distribution limbo for years before its brief theatrical run and subsequent video release. It presents a completely different breed of killer: an alien criminal who is exiled to life on Earth in… More John McNaughton's flawed but interesting follow-up to Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer languished in distribution limbo for years before its brief theatrical run and subsequent video release. It presents a completely different breed of killer: an alien criminal who is exiled to life on Earth in human form. As if that weren't punishment enough, the creature's human guise is susceptible to frequent head-eruptions, creating the constant need for replacement heads. This leads to a grim and violent series of episodes in which the creature pops the tops of various citizens, ranging from a kindly, homeless eccentric (Antonio Fargas) to a lascivious doctor (Tony Amendola)... at one point, he even "borrows" the head of a dog! Following the trail of discarded heads are two cops (Rae Dawn Chong and Don Gordon), who eventually begin to suspect they're not dealing with the M.O. of the average serial killer. A few creative plot twists (particularly at the conclusion), grim atmosphere and generally good performances enliven this one-note material, which nevertheless fails to measure up to the harrowing, character-driven horror of McNaughton's acclaimed debut feature. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: John Hugh McNaughton
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

On DVD: Aug 31, 1994

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Not without being somewhat entertaining in a childish way.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Borrowed from too many other horror movies to be any good.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Steve K

I would have been giggling the entire time I was making this film. An outlandish premise is given the exact right balance of straight-laced presentation and giddy you've-got-to-be-kidding-me delight.

Cast

            Rae Dawn Chong as Diana Pierce

            Don Gordon as Charles Krieger

            Antonio Fargas as Julius Caesar Roosevelt

            Tom Towles as Bob Laney

            Tom Allard as Ruben Whitefeather

            Tony Amendola as Dr. Cheever

            Mädchen Amick as Megan

            Tracy Arnold as Nurse

            B.J. Barie as Lance

            Geri Betzler as Astrid

            Tami Clatterbuck as Michele Chodiss

            Steve de Clark as 3rd Paramedic

            Robert Dryer as Borrower

            Cindy Folkerson as Female Guard

            Neil Giuntoli as Scully

            Pamela Gordon as Connie

            Will Gotay as 1st Paramedic

            Rif Hutton as Newscaster

            Heath Jobes as Weatherman

            Steve Landi as Bandmember

            Jack Lightsy as FBI #1

            Christopher MacLean as 2nd Paramedic

            Lorrie Marlow as Nurse Wilson

            John Martinuzzi as Man Outside Bar

            Bentley Mitchum as Kip

            Larry Pennell as Captian Scarcelli

            Mark Rosenblatt as Locker Attendant

            Sam Scarber as Cop

            Danile Shelley as Bandmember

            Darryl Shelley as Druggie

            Chad Taylor as FBI #2

            Zoe Trilling as Astrid

            Richard Wharton as Alien Pilot

            Rob Williams as Bandmember

            Tonya Lee Williams as Desk Nurse

            Gregory Wolf as Prisoner

            Stuart Cornfield as Police Photographer

            Pamela Norris as Hooker

            Smokey Robinson as Guard
See full cast