Desperados (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Desperados is a 2020 romantic comedy directed by LP, starring Nasim Pedrad as Wesley, Mo Gaffney and Lamorne Morris. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Critics gave it 16% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.
What Is Desperados About?
The premise of Desperados without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A woman's romantic life is thrown into turmoil when a damaging email surfaces. Determined to repair the situation, she travels to Mexico with a group of friends. Their journey becomes a hilarious and unpredictable adventure as they attempt to rectify her mistake and salvage her burgeoning relationship. The trip is filled with chaotic mishaps and unexpected challenges.
Desperados Themes & Keywords
· 12 tags- friend
- dolphin
- f word
- mexico
- multiple time frames
- lesbian
- female director
- female filmmaker
- rape
- title directed by female
- one word title
- f rated
Desperados Cast & Characters
Nasim Pedrad leads the cast as Wesley, with Mo Gaffney as Principal Judy and Lamorne Morris as Sean. Directed by LP; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director LP
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Nasim Pedrad as Wesley -
Mo Gaffney as Principal Judy -
Lamorne Morris as Sean -
Robbie Amell as Jared
Also Starring in Desperados
· 9 more- Anna Camp Brooke
- Sarah Burns Kaylie
- Heather Graham Angel de la Paz
- George Basil Doug
- Bryan Safi Goatee
- Jessica Chaffin Debbie
- Izzy Diaz Quintano
- Scott Rodgers Tad
- Rodrigo Franco Ramon
More from LP
More films directed by LP: Fifty Shades of Blue with Selena Gómez and Quiet Ryan.
Desperados Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Desperados 16% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (35).
Desperados Echo Score Breakdown
Desperados delivers a mixed-quality romantic comedy that oscillates between lively moments and structural flaws. While the sunlit landscapes and comedic set pieces provide fleeting enjoyment for some viewers, criticism centers on its predictable plot and uneven pacing. Performances divide opinion, with leads praised for energy yet critiqued for lacking depth. Visually, the film alternates between vibrant scenery and blandly shot sequences. Ultimately, Desperados offers a moderately mixed experience that struggles to sustain its early promise.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 50
In terms of visual composition and editing, Desperados presents a contrast between picturesque outdoor settings and occasionally uninspired framing. Reviewers highlight sunlit landscapes that capture an appealing atmosphere but note that the overall cinematography lacks consistent creativity. Comments on editing suggest that tighter cutting might have improved narrative flow. The art department’s efforts yield mixed results.
- Character & Emotion 50
In terms of acting and character development, the film’s performances generate divided responses. Some viewers commend the lead for energetic delivery and ensemble chemistry, while others find the protagonists underwritten and occasionally forced. Emotional resonance is inconsistent, with humor landing sporadically. Despite moments of genuine connection, character depth remains uneven, leaving the cast’s impact somewhat diminished.
- Story & Flow 35
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative often feels predictable and overcomplicated. Critics note a reliance on cheap shock gags without sufficient emotional grounding, and viewers report uneven momentum throughout the runtime. While occasional lighthearted moments offer respite, the film’s structure lacks originality and struggles to maintain consistent engagement.
- Sensory Experience 60
When considering sensory elements like soundtrack and visual style, Desperados offers moments of vibrant ambiance alongside uneven audio design. The sun-drenched setting and lively score contribute positively to the film’s mood, though occasional bland shot composition and generic sound cues detract from immersion. Overall, the sensory experience alternates between appealing vibrancy and occasional monotony.
- Rewatch Factor 45
In terms of rewatch value, Desperados provides sporadic humor but limited lasting appeal. Some viewers find the film’s lighthearted set pieces enjoyable on casual viewing, yet the predictable plot and inconsistent comedic timing reduce incentive for repeat viewings. Despite a few laugh-out-loud moments, the overall experience is unlikely to sustain high replay interest.
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IMDb 5.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 16% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 31%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 41 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.1 /5
4 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Desperados Plot Summary
What happens in Desperados from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Wesley Darya, portrayed by Nasim Pedrad, is on a frustrating quest to secure both a job and a meaningful relationship. After a disastrous interview with Principal Judy that leads to an inappropriate suggestion about sex education, her mood darkens further when she learns from her ex that he is now engaged to a stunning European woman. Seeking companionship, she reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date with a guy named Sean, but the date takes a turn for the worse as he abruptly leaves when she brings up topics like marriage and children too often.
Full summary
The whole story of Desperados, scene by scene
Desperados Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Desperados.
How Well Do You Know Desperados?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What job is Wesley interviewing for at the beginning of the film?
Cars in Desperados
14 cars on screen, including the 2003 Chevrolet Express and the Jeep Wrangler.
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2003 Chevrolet Express Important role -
Jeep Wrangler Important role -
2004 Nissan Sentra Important role -
Club Car DS Minor role
Desperados Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “狂姝末路” and “데스페라도스”.
- Also known as
-
- 狂姝末路
- 데스페라도스
- מיואשת במקסיקו
- Atrapa ese email
- Zoufalky
- Отчаянная
- Kétségbeesettek, თავზეხელაღებულები
- 玩命三姐妹
- เสียฟอร์ม ยอมเพราะรัก
- Apaga-me Esse E-mail!
- Desperad@s
- Kelionė į Meksiką
+4 more Show fewer
- デスペラードス 〜崖っぷち女子旅〜
- Відчайдушні
- Nguyện Liều Vì Yêu
- 愛你愛到鬧死你
Seen Desperados?
Movies Like Desperados
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Desperadas, Desperadas 2 and Desire.
Desperados FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Desperados, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Desperados?
Desperados runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Desperados released?
Desperados was released on July 3, 2020.
Who directed Desperados?
Desperados was directed by LP.
More films by LP Who is in the cast of Desperados?
Desperados stars Nasim Pedrad as Wesley, Mo Gaffney as Principal Judy and Lamorne Morris as Sean, among 13 credited actors.
How is Desperados rated?
Desperados has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 16% on Rotten Tomatoes, 41 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does Desperados have a post-credit scene?
No. Desperados has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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