Desperado, the 1995 neo-Western action film starring Antonio Banderas, has been added to Netflix as of Monday, August 18, giving fans of the genre a chance to revisit the cult classic.
A Sequel in Robert Rodriguez's Mexico Trilogy
Written, co-produced, edited, and directed by Robert Rodriguez, Desperado serves as a sequel to 1993's El Mariachi and is the second installment of his Mexico Trilogy. The director is also known for Spy Kids, Sin City, and Alita: Battle Angel.
The film stars Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi, a musician who seeks revenge on the drug lord who killed his lover. The synopsis reads: “El Mariachi, a musician, arrives in a Mexican town and is mistaken for a hitman. Later, he gets into trouble with a local drug lord who thereafter kills his lover and he sets off to avenge her death.”
Star-Studded Cast and Box Office Success
Banderas is joined by a cast including Joaquim de Almeida, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin, Quentin Tarantino, Carlos Gomez, Tito Larriva, and Danny Trejo. The film was a stealth hit for Sony Pictures Releasing, grossing $58 million on a budget of $7 million.
Critics praised the film, with the critical consensus reading: “Desperado contains almost too much action and too little of a story to sustain interest, but Antonio Banderas proves a charismatic lead in Robert Rodriguez's inventive extravaganza.”
Fan Reactions on Letterboxd
With the film now streaming, fans have taken to Letterboxd to share their appreciation. @zoe said: “Antonio Banderas is ridiculously charismatic in this. Every time he walks into a room carrying that guitar case, you already know somebody's day is about to get ruined. He has that perfect mix of charm, confidence, and mystery that makes it impossible not to root for him. The action is so over-the-top in the best way. Every shootout feels like a rock concert.”
@matthewnoble wrote: “Like El Mariachi, Desperado is an absolute blast from start to finish. Obviously it gets serious at certain points when required, but Rodriguez's main concern is always about entertaining his audience. Making them laugh, making them gasp, and definitely making them cheer.”
@andrewc commented: “Even in his first major studio outing, Robert Rodriguez displays all of his usual hyper-style in Desperado, a buck-wild action film that may not be the best film he would go on to make but is nevertheless a lot of fun. With its neo-Western vibes, a healthy helping of Mexican flair, and scene after scene of violence, this is basically a top-notch B-movie that showcases all of Rodriguez's best skills as a filmmaker.”
