Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story Netflix Review – Stream It or Skip It?
Key Takeaways
- Gripping true story with intense moments, but melodramatic execution and uneven acting hold it back.
- Dascha Polanco shines as Marcela, though the script leans into predictable Lifetime thriller tropes.
- Rushed pacing and underwhelming production reduce the impact of this otherwise harrowing real-life story.
Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story (2025), Netflix’s latest true crime thriller, depicts the harrowing 2009 home invasion that shocked Florida. Directed by Felipe Rodriguez and starring Dascha Polanco, this Lifetime-originated film has sparked polarized reactions since hitting Netflix. But does it deserve a spot on your watchlist? Here’s a detailed review to help you decide.
Plot Summary: A Family’s Nightmare
The film follows Marcela Borges (Dascha Polanco), a pregnant Florida mother whose idyllic weekend turns into a nightmare when masked gunmen invade her home. Alongside her husband Rubens (Johnathan Souza) and young son Ryan (Alessio Andrada), Marcela is tortured for three days while captors demand $200,000—a sum the family doesn’t possess. The story climaxes with Marcela’s daring escape by jumping from a second-story window despite her pregnancy, leading to the rescue of her family and the eventual capture of most perpetrators.
Key Plot Details:
- Invasion Scene: Masked intruders burst into the Borges’ suburban home, immediately establishing a tone of relentless tension.
- Captivity: The family is moved between locations, forced to withdraw savings, and subjected to psychological and physical torture.
- Escalation: The lead assailant, Bianca Dos Santos (Nisa Gunduz), is revealed to have a personal connection to the family’s financial history.
- Climax: Marcela’s knife fight with Bianca and subsequent window jump form the film’s most intense sequence.
- Resolution: Police rescue the family, though Bianca remains at large in real life.
Strengths
1. Gripping True Story Foundation
Based on the real 2009 case, the film leverages its factual basis to heighten tension and emotional stakes. Marcela’s pregnancy adds layers of vulnerability and resilience, making her escape feel even more heroic.
2. Strong Lead Performance
Dascha Polanco delivers a raw, committed performance as Marcela, balancing terror with maternal determination. Her portrayal anchors the film’s emotional core, especially during violent scenes where she protects her son and unborn child.
3. Unrelenting Tension
The director maintains a claustrophobic atmosphere, emphasizing the family’s helplessness through tight shots and minimal music. The violence, while graphic, underscores the story’s brutality without glorifying it.
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Weaknesses
1. Melodramatic Execution
Some scenes lean into Lifetime-movie tropes, with exaggerated acting (particularly from the assailants) and predictable dialogue. The rubber knife used in the climax notably undermines realism.
2. Pacing Issues
At 86 minutes, the film rushes through character development, failing to explore the captors’ motivations deeply. The financial connection to Bianca feels underexplained.
3. Mixed Production Quality
Outdoor scenes unconvincingly portray Florida, and certain action sequences suffer from choppy editing. The TV-14 rating limits the brutality’s impact, softening the true story’s horrors.
Historical Accuracy & Creative Liberties
While the core events align with the real case, the film exaggerates Marcela’s pregnancy for dramatic effect (news reports didn’t mention it). The portrayal of Bianca as a ruthless ringleader is accurate, though her backstory is simplified. Notably, the real Marcela’s son survived the ordeal, and the family still lives in Florida.
Character Analysis
- Marcela Borges: Polanco embodies her resilience, though the script occasionally reduces her to reactive victimhood.
- Bianca Dos Santos: Gunduz’s performance is chilling but borders on caricature.
- Rubens Morais: Souza portrays Rubens’ desperation adequately but lacks depth.
- Assailants: The group’s dynamic feels underexplored, with Mitchell Jaramillo’s “conscience-driven” criminal being the sole nuanced portrayal.
Audience & Critical Reception
- Divided Reactions: Viewers either praise its intensity or critique its Lifetime-style execution.
- Streaming Performance: Ranked #5 on Netflix’s Top 10 despite mixed reviews.
- True Crime Fans: Appreciate the story’s basis in reality but note its melodramatic flair.
How to Watch
Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story is now streaming on Netflix US. If you are not in USA then you must use a usa based vpn for watching this movie.
Recommendation: Stream It or Skip It?
🚫SKIP IT
While the true story is compelling, Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story suffers from melodramatic execution, uneven acting, and a rushed narrative. Despite Polanco’s strong performance, the film fails to elevate itself beyond standard Lifetime thriller tropes. If you seek a gritty, realistic home invasion story, explore alternatives like The Strangers or Compliance.
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Loading ...FAQs
- Is Marcela Borges still alive?
Yes! She lives in Florida with her family, including the son she was pregnant with during the invasion. - Were all perpetrators caught?
Three were imprisoned, one is in a vegetative state, and Bianca Dos Santos remains at large. - How accurate is the Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story?
It takes creative liberties (e.g., emphasizing the pregnancy) but follows the real case’s broad strokes. - Why is it rated TV-14?
For intense violence, threats, and brief language. - Where can I watch it?
Streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Lifetime Movie Club.
Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story
Our Rating:⭐2.5/5
Network Netflix
Genres: True crime thriller, home invasion drama
Release Date: September 2025
Runtime 1 hour 29 minutes
Based on A true story from 2009
