The Borrower (1989)
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30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
34% want to see it
(71 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… 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
- Directed By
- John Hugh McNaughton
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
R,
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Not without being somewhat entertaining in a childish way.
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Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Borrowed from too many other horror movies to be any good.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Rae Dawn Chong
as Diana Pierce
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Don Gordon
as Charles Krieger
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Antonio Fargas
as Julius Caesar Roosevelt
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Tom Towles
as Bob Laney
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Tom Allard
as Ruben Whitefeather
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Tony Amendola
as Dr. Cheever
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Mädchen Amick
as Megan
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Tracy Arnold
as Nurse
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B.J. Barie
as Lance
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Geri Betzler
as Astrid
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Tami Clatterbuck
as Michele Chodiss
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Steve de Clark
as 3rd Paramedic
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Robert Dryer
as Borrower, Human
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Cindy Folkerson
as Female Guard
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Neil Giuntoli
as Scully
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Pamela Gordon
as Connie
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Will Gotay
as 1st Paramedic
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Rif Hutton
as Newscaster
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Heath Jobes
as Weatherman
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Steve Landi
as Bandmember
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Jack Lightsy
as FBI #1
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Christopher MacLean
as 2nd Paramedic
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Lorrie Marlow
as Nurse Wilson
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John Martinuzzi
as Man Outside Bar
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Bentley Mitchum
as Kip
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Larry Pennell
as Captian Scarcelli
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Mark Rosenblatt
as Locker Attendant
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Sam Scarber
as Cop
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Danile Shelley
as Bandmember
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Darryl Shelley
as Druggie
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Chad Taylor
as FBI #2
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Zoe Trilling
as Astrid
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Richard Wharton
as Alien Pilot
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Rob Williams
as Bandmember
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Tonya Lee Williams
as Desk Nurse
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Gregory Wolf
as Prisoner
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Stuart Cornfield
as Police Photographer
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Pamela Norris
as Hooker
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Smokey Robinson
as Guard
