Desperado

1995, Action, 1h 43m

49 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Desperado contains almost too much action and too little story to sustain interest, but Antonio Banderas proves a charismatic lead in Robert Rodriguez's inventive extravaganza. Read critic reviews

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Desperado Videos

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Movie Info

Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) plunges headfirst into the dark border underworld when he follows a trail of blood to the last of the infamous Mexican drug lords, Bucho (Joaquim de Almeida), for an action-packed, bullet-riddled showdown. With the help of his best friend (Steve Buscemi) and a beautiful bookstore owner (Salma Hayek), the Mariachi tracks Bucho, takes on his army of desperados, and leaves a trail of blood of his own.
  • Rating:
    R (Strong Bloody Violence|Language|Strong Sex Scene)
  • Genre:
    Action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Robert Rodriguez
  • Producer:
    Robert Rodriguez, Bill Borden
  • Writer:
    Robert Rodriguez
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $24.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Antonio Banderas
El Mariachi
Salma Hayek
Carolina
Joaquim de Almeida
Bucho
Cheech Marin
Short Bartender
Steve Buscemi
Buscemi
Carlos Gomez
Right Hand
Quentin Tarantino
Pick-up Guy
Tito Larriva
Tavo
Angel Aviles
Zamira
Robert Rodriguez
Director
Robert Rodriguez
Writer
Robert Rodriguez
Producer
Robert Rodriguez
Film Editing
Bill Borden
Producer
Guillermo Navarro
Cinematographer
Graciela Mazón
Costume Design
Cecilia Montiel
Production Design
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Desperado

All Critics (49) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (16)
Full Review… Juan M. Mendez New York Daily News Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Janet Maslin New York Times Full Review… Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Full Review… Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle Full Review… Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Full Review… Toussaint Egan Polygon Full Review… Margaret A. McGurk Cincinnati Enquirer Full Review… Rosa Parra Latinx Lens Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Tim Stevens The Spool
View All Critic Reviews (49)

Audience Reviews for Desperado

  • Feb 18, 2016
    A shoot-em-up (and there's a lot of shooting) with attitude (likewise). Now some might confuse attitude with style, but shooting a gun while pumping your fists like one was throwing punches (unnecessary, duh) is not style. And Antonio Banderas practically does Zoolander's "I'm sooo hot" pout through the whole movie embarrassingly. Luckily Salma Hayek's youth and extravagant DNA save the efforts from total unwatchable-ness. Well that and watching Quentin Tarantino get his head blown clean off.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 16, 2013
    Robert Rodriguez continues his Mariachi series with Desperado, an adrenaline-packed action film. The story follows a mariachi turned assassin who's seeking revenge for the death of his lover. The plot is rather weak and the characters aren't fleshed out. Still, Rodriguez does an impressive job directing, and makes the action sequences especially exciting and dynamic. Antonio Banderas steps into the role of Mariachi this time, and is joined by Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, and Cheech Marin; who all give good performances. Banderas and Hayek in particular have a lot of charisma, and play well off of each other. While Desperado has some weak points, it's an entertaining popcorn film.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 18, 2011
    Really entertaining, and a great continuation of the storyline for El Mariacihi's storyline. I'm not usually a fan of Banderas, but he's really great here, and I'm surpirsed to say it, but it's hard to imagine anyone else in this role. Salma Hayek is really good here too...she's not just there as the eye candy (although she definitely serves that purpose as well, she plays a pretty cool character). Anyway, check this out...it's a really entertaining film.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 04, 2011
    it's fairly good, but it's way violent then the 1st, and it acts like the first and won't move on. B
    Juan C Super Reviewer
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