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The Mexican

Play trailer Poster for The Mexican R 2001 2h 3m Comedy Drama Adventure Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
56% Tomatometer 129 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Brad Pitt stars as Jerry Welbach, a reluctant bagman, who has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique pistol, known as "the Mexican"... or suffer the consequences. The second is from his girlfriend Samantha to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures alive and in trouble with Samantha is better than the more permanent alternative, so he heads south of the border.
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The Mexican

The Mexican

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Critics Consensus

Though The Mexican makes a good attempt at originality, its ponderous length makes it wear out its welcome. Also, those looking forward to seeing Roberts and Pitt paired up may end up disappointed, as they are kept apart for most of the movie.

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Critics Reviews

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Christy Lemire Associated Press Oct 25, 2018
The Mexican is sporadically entertaining. It works when Gandolfini is on screen; when he leaves, he takes the movie with him. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Mar 6, 2018
Brad and Julia, of course, look great. Buy the poster; skip the movie. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 28, 2010
3/5
An interesting mess for older teens and up. Go to Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine Mar 27, 2024
6/10
There is a lot of fun to be had with this film, despite it’s relatively uneven nature. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia May 10, 2023
3/10
As a dark comedy it has a somewhat appealing visual style, but its journey across the Mexican wasteland becomes downright dull and it falls to the ground like a stray bullet. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine Sep 22, 2022
6.5/10
Gene Hackman holds the responsibility of conveying the entire history of a character, the entire core of who this man is, in a single scene. He manages it without breaking a sweat. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 24, 2026 This Movie is a 2.5 star Movie... See more Stoner J. @Stoner Jun 8, 2026 Not as funny as it aims to be but very entertaining. Gandolfini makes this movie, he’s great, and hilarious in it as well. See more Thyaagu C @Thyaagu May 30, 2026 Simple, slightly crazy, and never dull. A breezy timepass watch with mild thrills, a dash of action, and enough charm to keep things moving. Nothing groundbreaking, but a fun ride while it lasts. See more Mischa @russianskeptix26 Feb 13, 2026 Very fun film! This was my first Gore Verbinski film I saw, saw it a couple years ago now...and it still is a decent watch after so many years, the story feels cool and different - with Gore's camera work it tightens and at times appeals to the senses as a viewer. See more rafael S. @RT90915483 Jan 18, 2026 It was a really fun movie to watch Brad Pitt getting into an obstacle after an obstacle in a very fun execution. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Dec 3, 2025 Success in 02 hours, 03 minutes, and 30 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Violence and Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $147,845,033.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Mexican

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Cast & Crew

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Gore Verbinski

Director

Brad Pitt

Jerry Welbach

Julia Roberts

Samantha Barzel

James Gandolfini

Leroy

Bob Balaban

Nayman

J.K. Simmons

Ted

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The Mexican

Jerry (BRAD PITT) is double-crossed by a car thief (RICHARD COCA) who is also after the priceless antique pistol known as The Mexican in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. JAMES GANDOLFINI stars as a hit man who goes by the name of Leroy in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. Samantha (JULIA ROBERTS) realizes she's in danger from people who will do anything to get their hands on a priceless antique pistol known as The Mexican in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. Samantha (JULIA ROBERTS) begins to bond with the hit man Leroy (JAMES GANDOLFINI) who has taken her hostage in order to insure her boyfriend's return with an antique pistol known as The Mexican. BRAD PITT and JULIA ROBERTS star in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. Samantha (JULIA ROBERTS) is taken hostage by Leroy (JAMES GANDOLFINI) in order to insure that Jerry will return with the priceless pistol known as The Mexican in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. Director GORE VERBINSKI (standing center) gives some direction to stars BRAD PITT (left) and JULIA ROBERTS on the set of DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. BRAD PITT stars as Jerry Welbach in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. Jerry (BRAD PITT) enjoys his new rented El Camino in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. BRAD PITT and JULIA ROBERTS star in DreamWorks Pictures' THE MEXICAN. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Brad Pitt stars as Jerry Welbach, a reluctant bagman, who has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique pistol, known as "the Mexican"... or suffer the consequences. The second is from his girlfriend Samantha to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures alive and in trouble with Samantha is better than the more permanent alternative, so he heads south of the border.
Director
Gore Verbinski
Producer
Lawrence Bender, John Baldecchi
Screenwriter
J.H. Wyman
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Production Co
DreamWorks SKG, Pistolero Productions L.L.C., Newmarket Capital Group
Rating
R (Violence|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Adventure, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$66.8M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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