Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Seen it?2003 | 102 min | Action, Crime
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It was a solid box office hit, but a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and action fans. If you loved Sicario, start here.
- The mood
- Gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 42 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
A corrupt CIA agent Sands hires hitman El Mariachi to assassinate a Mexican general hired by a drug kingpin attempting a coup d'état of the President of Mexico.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
66% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$99 million worldwide on a $29 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 287K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Desperado
Sunday Safe BetFrom the same Mexico series, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Sicario
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed CIA action film.
Assassins Weeknight WatchAlso stars Antonio Banderas, in another CIA action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Equalizer 2 Weeknight WatchAnother CIA action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Smokin' Aces Weeknight WatchAnother drug-world action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Rodriguez
- Antonio BanderasEl Mariachi
- Johnny DeppCIA Agent Jeffrey Sands
- Cheech MarinBelini
- Salma Hayek PinaultCarolina
- Mickey RourkeBilly Chambers
- Willem DafoeArmando Barillo
- Eva MendesCIA Agent Ajedrez
- Danny TrejoCucuy
- Rubén BladesJorge, Retired FBI Agent
- Enrique IglesiasLorenzo