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Action drama

Gringo (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Gringo (2018) movie poster

Gringo is a 2018 action drama directed by Nash Edgerton, starring David Oyelowo as Harold Soyinka, Thandiwe Newton and Joel Edgerton. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $11 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
40%
worldwide gross
$11M
Echo Score
51
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Gringo (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Nash Edgerton
Genres
Action , Drama , Comedy , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gringo About?

The premise of Gringo without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Harold Soyinka's ordinary existence takes a dangerous turn when he’s double-crossed by his employers and forced to go on the run. He embarks on a desperate fight for survival, venturing into Mexico where he encounters ruthless business partners, dangerous drug lords, and skilled mercenaries. Facing constant threat, Harold must use all his wits to escape his pursuers and uncover the truth behind the betrayal.

Gringo Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • singing in a car
  • rapping in a car
  • singing along with radio
  • american abroad
  • american in mexico
  • drug kingpin
  • drug cartel
  • drug mule
  • boyfriend girlfriend conflict
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • burlap bag over head
  • fake kidnapping
+38 more
  • kidnapping
  • hotel room
  • brother brother relationship
  • dea agent
  • undercover agent
  • basketball game
  • cheating wife
  • husband wife relationship
  • toe cut off
  • severed toe
  • sex standing up
  • rear entry sex
  • female ceo
  • interracial friendship
  • friendship betrayal
  • shot in the head
  • nigerian
  • shootout
  • overturned car
  • watching soccer on tv
  • fake passport
  • new identity
  • beach bar
  • aid worker
  • refugee camp
  • short blonde hair
  • walking a dog
  • f word
  • no opening credits
  • reference to harry potter
  • reference to the beatles
  • police officer
  • police officer killed
  • police officer shot
  • police officer shot in the chest
  • police shootout
  • police officer shot in the head
  • dark comedy
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Cast & crew

Gringo Cast & Characters

David Oyelowo leads the cast as Harold Soyinka, with Thandiwe Newton as Bonnie Soyinka and Joel Edgerton as Richard Rusk. Directed by Nash Edgerton; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Nash Edgerton

More films directed by Nash Edgerton, best-rated first: The Square, The Square and The Pitch.

Full filmography
Ratings

Gringo Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gringo 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in sensory experience (40).

51 /100

Gringo Echo Score Breakdown

The film grapples with an uneven blend of dark comedy and crime thriller, delivering sporadic highs but often stumbling through derivative plotting and uneven pacing. Critics and audiences note that the storyline shifts abruptly between farcical and violent tones without sufficient cohesion, even as some moments of tension and humor land effectively. Performances, particularly from Oyelowo and Theron, receive commendation for injecting character depth into an otherwise shallow narrative. Overall, Gringo registers as a mixed experience that struggles to sustain engagement despite strong acting.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of visual craftsmanship, Gringo exhibits a range of stylistic choices that struggle to form a cohesive whole. Direction alternates between languid farce and abrupt violence, while production design and cinematography offer occasional pulp-inspired flourishes. Editing suffers from uneven pacing that undercuts narrative momentum. Overall, the technical execution feels inconsistent.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character depth and performances, the film benefits from strong lead portrayals. David Oyelowo’s nuanced delivery and Charlize Theron’s ferocious energy consistently elevate scenes. Supporting roles vary in impact, with some side characters lacking development. Chemistry between protagonists and antagonists occasionally yields engaging dynamics, though overall emotional resonance fluctuates.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative oscillates between engaging twists and predictable beats. Pacing is uneven, with a slow buildup that delays key developments and a rushed resolution that feels formulaic. Originality suffers from reliance on familiar crime tropes, though occasional clever set pieces provide moments of intrigue. The overall storyline lacks consistent cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design reinforce the pulp atmosphere but lack memorable impact. Christophe Beck’s score is serviceable yet indistinct, and ambient effects rarely enhance tension. Visual style nods to genre conventions through textured color palettes and dynamic framing, but inconsistencies in tone limit overall cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch potential, Gringo offers intermittent enjoyment through standout performances and occasional dark humor, but its uneven pacing and narrative gaps diminish replay value. The unpredictability of twists may engage repeat viewers briefly, yet the lack of structural refinement and cohesion reduces lasting appeal. Overall, subsequent viewings yield moderate returns rather than deepened appreciation.

Plot

Gringo Plot Summary

What happens in Gringo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the bustling offices of Promethium, a pharmaceutical company, CEO Richard Rusk finds his intimate moment with co-owner Elaine Markinson unexpectedly interrupted by a desperate phone call. On the other end, his friend and employee Harold Soyinka is in a dire situation, claiming he has been kidnapped in Mexico and that his captors are demanding a staggering ransom of $5 million.

Full summary

The whole story of Gringo, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gringo Box Office & Budget

Gringo grossed $11 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 1.1 times what it cost. $5 million came from the US and Canada and $6 million (55%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$11M

1.1× its budget

US & Canada
$5M
International
$6M
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 45% Rest of the world 55%
Videos

Gringo Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Gringo - Official Trailer - In Cinemas March 9
  • Trailer Gringo - Official Redband Trailer [HD] | Amazon Studios
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gringo?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the CEO of Promethium?

Cars

Cars in Gringo

34 cars on screen, including the 1997 Chevrolet C-1500 and the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban.

All 34 cars
  • 1997 Chevrolet C-1500 in Gringo 1997 Chevrolet C-1500 Important role
  • 2007 Chevrolet Suburban in Gringo 2007 Chevrolet Suburban Important role
  • Dodge Atos in Gringo Dodge Atos Important role
  • 1991 Ford Explorer in Gringo 1991 Ford Explorer Important role
Details

Gringo Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Untitled Nash Edgerton Project” and “Ґрінґо”.

Also known as
  • Untitled Nash Edgerton Project
  • Ґрінґо
  • 그링고
  • Gringo Se busca vivo o muerto
  • Ένας Ξένος στην Πόλη
  • Gringo: Es busca viu o mort
  • Gringo: Amator în misiune
  • Гринго
  • Небезпечний бізнес
  • גרינגו
  • Опасный бизнес
  • Gringo: Se busca vivo o muerto
+14 more
  • 老闆好壞
  • 外国佬
  • Raz się Żyje
  • Gringo: Vivo ou Morto
  • Gringo: Zelená pilule
  • La rançon
  • 邊個出差咁黑仔?
  • Gringo:กริงโก้ ซวยสลัด
  • Truffatori in erba
  • گرینگو
  • Gringo: Zelená pilulka
  • شركة أمريكية ، كارتل مكسيكي ، من المحتمل ألا ينتهي هذا بشكل جيد.
  • グリンゴ 最強の悪運男
  • Nhọ Gặp Hên, გრინგო

Seen Gringo?

FAQ

Gringo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Gringo, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gringo?

Gringo runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Gringo released?

Gringo was released on March 9, 2018.

Who directed Gringo?

Gringo was directed by Nash Edgerton.

More films by Nash Edgerton

Who is in the cast of Gringo?

Gringo stars David Oyelowo as Harold Soyinka, Thandiwe Newton as Bonnie Soyinka and Joel Edgerton as Richard Rusk, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Gringo make at the box office?

Gringo grossed $11 million worldwide ($5 million domestic, $6 million international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is Gringo rated?

Gringo has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Gringo have a post-credit scene?

No. Gringo has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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