Film Adaptation Tells Marcela Borges’ Harrowing Family Hostage Story

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — The dramatic true story of Marcela Borges and her family is now a feature film titled “Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story.” The movie premiered on Netflix in September 2025 and depicts a chilling incident from November 2009.

At the time, Borges, her husband Rubens Morais, and their 5-year-old son Ryan were taken hostage by four armed intruders in their home. The intruders invaded while Borges was two months pregnant, blindfolding and binding the family. They demanded $200,000 but continued to torment them when the family failed to meet their demands.

For three days, the family endured torture and threats. Borges, recalling the ordeal, said, “Later that night I could hear my husband crying, a gun going ‘click, click, click’…” The violence escalated as the kidnappers played Russian roulette with Ryan, although he was not physically harmed.

On the third day, Borges made a daring escape attempt. After wrestling with one of the kidnappers and pulling off her mask, Borges leaped from a second-story window. Despite being shot in the process, she managed to reach a neighbor who called the police.

Law enforcement responded quickly, rescuing Borges, Morais, and Ryan. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries and later recovered fully.

In the aftermath of the attack, investigations revealed that the gang’s leader, Bianca Dos Santos, had targeted their home based on personal knowledge of their financial situation. She remains at large, while the three male accomplices were arrested and convicted. One of them, Victor Manuel Sanchez, was sentenced to life in prison in 2012.

Borges has moved on from the traumatic experience and welcomed a second son, Lucas. She has pursued education at local colleges, focusing on nursing. The family now leads a private life in Florida, sharing few details about their past.

As they reflect on the harrowing experience, Borges only occasionally shares updates on their lives. The film provides a glimpse into their past, allowing a wider audience to understand the family’s ordeal and resilience.