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A musician mistaken for a hitman finds himself caught in a dangerous situation, navigating a world of violence and mistaken identity. As he tries to escape the confusion, he must use his wits and courage to survive, while confronting the consequences of being wrongly accused. The story explores themes of identity, survival, and the power of music within a vibrant cultural landscape.

A musician mistaken for a hitman finds himself caught in a dangerous situation, navigating a world of violence and mistaken identity. As he tries to escape the confusion, he must use his wits and courage to survive, while confronting the consequences of being wrongly accused. The story explores themes of identity, survival, and the power of music within a vibrant cultural landscape.

Does El mariachi have end credit scenes?

No!

El mariachi does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of El mariachi

Explore the complete cast of El mariachi, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for El mariachi

See how El mariachi is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where El mariachi stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

73

Metascore

6.9

User Score

TMDB

67

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate El mariachi Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of El mariachi with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


El Mariachi Quiz: Test your knowledge on the thrilling story of 'El Mariachi' and its unforgettable characters.

What is the main character, the Mariachi, searching for in the town?

Awards & Nominations for El mariachi

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by El mariachi, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how El mariachi and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


9th Independent Spirit Awards 1994

Robert Rodriguez
Nomination

Best Director

Robert Rodriguez
Win

Best First Feature

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for El mariachi

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Read the complete plot summary of El mariachi, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


As the relentless sun scorches the dusty streets of a small Mexican town, Azul, a fierce criminal with a knack for violence, breaks free from his confines in the local jail. He bursts forth with a guitar case packed not with music, but with an arsenal of weapons, driven by one singular aim: to unleash chaos upon Moco, the formidable drug lord who orchestrated his imprisonment.

Simultaneously, a young musician, known as the Mariachi, steps off a bus, clutching a well-worn guitar case that symbolizes not just his passion for music, but his dreams of becoming a mariachi like his father. However, he’s unaware that danger lurks in every corner of this town. Moco, the brain behind the area’s cartel, has sent his skilled Sicarios to hunt down Azul and terminate his reign of terror. The streets now turn into a battleground, as these ruthless operatives seek their prey, a man in black wielding a guitar case.

In a twist of fate, the Mariachi finds himself inadvertently ensnared in this violent conflict. As Moco’s henchmen close in, the Mariachi is compelled to defend himself. Armed only with his guitar, he fends off four attackers, showcasing his resourcefulness and resilience. Seeking refuge, he stumbles into Dominó’s bar, instantly captivated by the allure of its beautiful owner. Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that her ambitions lie with Moco’s wealth, pulling her deeper into the drug lord’s treacherous game.

A pivotal moment occurs when Azul, also holding a guitar case, unknowingly swaps it with the Mariachi’s instrument. As chaos ensues, Moco’s men mistakenly capture Azul in a wild pursuit, releasing him only when they realize their blunder. Meanwhile, the Mariachi is captured and presented to Moco, who dismissively declares, > “You’re not Azul.” Fortunately, the Mariachi is set free, the guitar case still firmly grasped in his hands.

Now adrift in a perilous world dictated by Moco’s whims, the Mariachi asserts control over Dominó, coercing her to lead him to Moco’s stronghold under threat of dire consequences. Driven by a protective instinct for the Mariachi, Dominó reluctantly agrees.

Upon reaching Moco’s heavily guarded compound, the Mariachi concocts a plan, pretending to take Dominó hostage to gain access. Yet, Moco’s sharp intuition quickly unveils the charade. Angered by what he perceives to be Dominó’s betrayal, Moco unleashes a torrent of bullets that claim both the Mariachi and Dominó, casting their fates into turmoil.

As the Mariachi regains consciousness amidst the wreckage of shattered dreams, he discovers the lifeless body of Dominó beside him. Crippled from Moco’s merciless attack, the loss ignites an inferno of vengeance within him. Gripped by sorrow and rage, he seizes Azul’s abandoned weapon in pursuit of retribution against Moco.

With the cowardly henchmen abandoning their leader in the face of his tyranny, the Mariachi mournfully eyes the aftermath of his wrath. As daylight fades into darkness, he rides away on Dominó’s motorcycle, accompanied by her loyal pit bull and a poignant keepsake—her letter opener. The dreams of a mariachi life now lie in ruins, as he clutches the cold steel of Azul’s discarded arms, forever binding him to Dominó’s memory.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for El mariachi

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from El mariachi. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


El Mariachi (1992) - HD Trailer

Official Trailer

Cars Featured in El mariachi

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Explore all cars featured in El mariachi, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AM

1971

General DJ-5 Dispatcher

Chevrolet

1969

C-10

Chevrolet

1981

C-10

Chevrolet

1975

Nova

Dodge

1973

Valiant Duster

Ford

1987

Bronco

Ford

1983

Econoline

Ford

1969

F-Series

Ford

1981

F-Series

Ford

1982

F-Series

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


guitaristmistaken identitysingingmusicianindependent filmnational film registrycontemporary westernmariachiguitarrevengemexicoone day timespanlove trianglesmall towncell phonebeerdogtwo word titletitle spoken by charactersurprise endingcigarette smokingdirector also editorbody lands on a carknocked unconsciousdark comedyunnamed protagonistlatin musicb actiongun fu actiongun in guitar caserestroomriflenarrationbriberymodern westernindependent cinemamain character shottragic endingbloody violencebrutal violencecrueltygang violencelow budgetassassingangchaseescapedrug lordranchmachete

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About El mariachi

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