🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jesse Harris
- Genre: Thriller
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 42min
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10 (5.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A botanist gets tangled up with a drug mule, proving that studying plants is way more dangerous than it looks.
🍿 Borrego: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Elly and Her Research
Elly, a young botanist, relocates to the small desert town of Borrego Springs to study an invasive plant species. Haunted by the death of her sister, she seeks solace in her work. While exploring the desert, she meets Alex, a local teenager, who offers to help with her research, and forms a connection.

The Plane Crash and Kidnapping
Elly’s peaceful research is disrupted when she witnesses an ultralight plane crash nearby. She discovers Tomas, an inexperienced drug mule, who forces her at gunpoint to help him transport his cargo after his plane crashes. Elly is kidnapped and forced to guide Tomas through the treacherous desert landscape.

Journey Through the Desert
Elly and Tomas embark on a perilous journey across the desert, carrying the drugs. They face the harsh elements and the threat of being discovered. Elly tries to escape several times, but Tomas recaptures her. They eventually reach a point where they must trust each other to survive.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Elly (Lucy Hale): A young botanist haunted by her past, who must fight for survival after being kidnapped by a drug mule.
- Tomas (Leynar Gomez): An inexperienced drug mule forced into a life of crime to provide for his family, leading him to kidnap Elly.
- Guillermo (Jorge A. Jimenez): The ruthless drug dealer desperately searching for his missing drugs and willing to do anything to retrieve them.
- Deputy Jose Gomez (Nicholas Gonzalez): The local sheriff and dedicated father who is determined to find the missing Elly and bring justice to the desert.
- Alex Gomez (Olivia Trujillo): Jose’s resourceful daughter who assists in the search for Elly and proves to be more capable than she appears.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tomas: “Uno no debe correr como borrego, pero como lobo.” – Tomas shares this lesson with Elly, stating that one must not run aimlessly like a lamb but must run like a wolf with purpose.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Borrego Reviews
Personal Review
I really wanted to like ‘Borrego’ more. The desert scenery was stunning, and Lucy Hale did a great job. But the plot just felt slow and predictable. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never really took off. I found myself comparing it to other desert thrillers, and it just didn’t measure up. The campfire scene was interesting, but not enough to save the movie for me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of survival thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in independent films”
- “Lucy Hale fans”
- “People who enjoy desert landscapes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Language”
Professional Reviews
- MovieWeb: “Borrego’ offers a captivating setting in the Anza-Borrego desert, but struggles with pacing and character depth. Lucy Hale delivers a solid performance, yet the film leans too heavily on thriller tropes, sacrificing originality for familiar suspense.
- IndieFilmCritic: “Visually appealing with great shots of the desert, but the story feels thin. The acting is decent, but predictable plot points diminish the tension. The film feels like a missed opportunity.
Audience Reactions
The desert landscape is beautiful and makes the film visually appealing.: Many viewers appreciated the cinematography and the way the desert environment was portrayed.
Lucy Hale gives a commendable performance, showcasing her versatility.: Audiences generally agree that Lucy Hale’s acting was a highlight, even if the story itself was lacking.
Overall Consensus: While ‘Borrego’ boasts stunning visuals and a solid performance from Lucy Hale, its predictable plot and slow pacing leave much to be desired. It’s a visually appealing but ultimately forgettable thriller.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Filming took place in the harsh environment of Borrego Springs, California, requiring careful planning to ensure the safety and well-being of the cast and crew.”
- “Lucy Hale and Nicholas Gonzalez, who play Elly and Deputy Jose Gomez respectively, had previously worked together on the TV series ‘Pretty Little Liars’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Borrego?
As of October 2024, ‘Borrego’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Borrego, you might like these similar films:
- No Country for Old Men (2007): Shares a similar tense, neo-western thriller vibe with drug-related themes set in the desolate landscape of the American Southwest.
- Desierto (2015): A survival thriller set in a desert landscape, focusing on the theme of survival against the odds in a harsh environment.
- Breaking Bad (TV Series, 2008-2013): Features the theme of ordinary people pulled into extraordinary circumstances due to drug-related crimes.
🛒 Borrego Related Products
- Desert Survival Kit: Equip yourself for any desert adventure with this comprehensive kit, including water purification tablets, a survival blanket, and a first-aid kit. Perfect for exploring the landscapes of ‘Borrego’.
- The Botanist’s Guide to Desert Plants: Delve into the world of desert botany with this detailed guide, featuring information on invasive species and native flora. Learn about the plants that Elly studies in the film.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Map: Plan your own adventure to the film’s stunning setting with this detailed topographical map of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Explore the canyons and trails featured in the movie.
- Buttercup Flower Seeds: Grow your own Buttercup flowers, inspired by Elly’s tattoo and its significance in the film. A beautiful reminder of the film’s themes of memory and resilience.
🎧 Soundtrack
Borrego features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Borrego Main Theme” – performed by Unknown (likely composed for the film)
- “Desert Chase” – performed by Unknown (likely composed for the film)
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Borrego’ was primarily filmed in Borrego Springs, California, USA. The location of motel at the beginning of the movie.
No, ‘Borrego’ is a fictional thriller, though it touches upon themes of drug trafficking and personal redemption often seen in real-world scenarios.
The main actors in ‘Borrego’ are Lucy Hale, who plays Elly, and Leynar Gomez, who plays Tomas. Nicholas Gonzalez also plays a significant role as Deputy Jose Gomez.
🔥 Bonus Content
with Jesse Borrego (Cruzito) actor & movie star at El Pollo Fino: 723 N Anaheim Blvd Anaheim, Ca
Ever wondered what happened to Cruzito from the movie? Check out this fun interview with Jesse Borrego at a local restaurant! It’s cool to see him out and about and chatting about his career.
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