Machete Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Machete, a guy with a really big knife, gets double-crossed and then just starts chopping everybody who looks at him funny.

🍿 Machete: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Machete’s Betrayal and Loss

The film opens with Machete, a skilled Mexican Federale, attempting to rescue a kidnapped woman from drug lord Torrez. He is betrayed by his own superiors and witnesses the brutal murder of his wife and daughter at the hands of Torrez. Left for dead, Machete escapes, setting the stage for his bloody revenge.

A Setup in Texas

Three years later, Machete is an undocumented worker in Texas. He is offered a large sum of money to assassinate Senator McLaughlin, a staunch opponent of illegal immigration. However, Machete quickly discovers he has been set up, becoming a target himself and forced to go on the run. He realizes that this was a conspiracy to gain votes for McLaughlin.

Allies and Revenge

Machete teams up with Luz, a taco vendor and leader of an underground network helping immigrants, and Sartana, an ICE agent who begins to question her allegiances. Together, they uncover a conspiracy involving Senator McLaughlin, drug lord Torrez, and a plan to control the border. Now they all must work together to get revenge on those that wronged them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Machete (Danny Trejo): A legendary ex-Federale seeking revenge after being betrayed and framed for a political assassination.
• Luz (Michelle Rodriguez): A taco truck owner and leader of the underground ‘Network’ aiding illegal immigrants.
• Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro): A corrupt, anti-immigration Texas senator involved in a conspiracy with drug cartels.
• Sartana (Jessica Alba): An ICE agent torn between her duty and her conscience, eventually joining Machete’s cause.
• Torrez (Steven Seagal): A ruthless drug lord and Machete’s former partner, seeking to control the border.
• Booth (Jeff Fahey): A corrupt businessman and aide to Senator McLaughlin, orchestrating the setup of Machete.
• Padre (Cheech Marin): Machete’s brother, a priest who reluctantly aids him in his quest for revenge.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Machete: “Machete don’t text.” – Machete states this to Booth when refusing to use a cell phone, highlighting his old-school nature.
• Padre: “God has mercy. I don’t.” – Padre says this before killing a group of attackers, revealing his hidden violent past.
• Senator McLaughlin: “Welcome to America.” – Spoken after shooting a fleeing immigrant, demonstrating his cruel stance.
• Machete: “If not us, then who?” – Machete asks this to his partner during their attempt to rescue a girl.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10.5M
• Domestic Gross: $26.59M
• Worldwide Gross: $45.49M

💥 Machete Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so *Machete* is ridiculous. It’s super violent, kinda cheesy, and the plot’s all over the place. But honestly, I couldn’t stop laughing. The scene with the intestine as a rope? Totally bonkers, but so memorable! I went in expecting a mindless action movie, and I got that, but with a surprising amount of self-aware humor. Danny Trejo is the man! So this movie was great to watch and is so damn fun to watch with a group.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of exploitation films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark humor”
  • “Action movie enthusiasts”
  • “Those looking for over-the-top violence”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Political themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A gleefully over-the-top, blood-soaked exploitation flick that delivers exactly what it promises. Trejo is perfectly cast, and the supporting cast seems to be having a blast. Rodriguez’s signature style is on full display, making for a wild, if occasionally uneven, ride.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Machete is a fun, energetic, and unapologetically violent film that manages to be both a loving homage to exploitation cinema and a sharp satire of contemporary political issues. It’s not for everyone, but fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy.
• IGN: “Machete is a bloody good time, filled with inventive kills and a cast that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The plot can be a bit convoluted, and the satire is occasionally heavy-handed, but the sheer entertainment value makes it easy to forgive its flaws. A worthy expansion of the Grindhouse trailer.

Audience Reactions

The over-the-top violence and gore were both hilarious and awesome.: Viewers praised the film’s ability to deliver on its promises of over-the-top action, gore, and humor.

Danny Trejo finally gets his due and owns the role of Machete.: Trejo’s performance as Machete was widely celebrated as the perfect casting choice.

Overall Consensus: A fun, albeit excessively violent, exploitation flick that delivers on its promise of over-the-top action and humor. It’s a love letter to the B-movies of the past.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The character of Machete originated as a fake trailer in Robert Rodriguez’s and Quentin Tarantino’s 2007 film, Grindhouse.”
• “According to Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo would call him constantly to make the Machete movie. When Rodriguez said he was busy, Trejo reportedly replied, “Machete don’t text.”, which became a catchphrase.”
• “Footage of Lindsay Lohan from the fake Machete trailer was re-used in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Machete?

Machete is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also readily available for purchase through major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Machete, you might like these similar films:

• Planet Terror (2007): Also directed by Robert Rodriguez and part of the ‘Grindhouse’ double feature, it shares the same over-the-top violence and B-movie aesthetic.
• Desperado (1995): Another action film starring Danny Trejo with a similar Mexican revenge theme. Also directed by Robert Rodriguez.
• From Dusk Till Dawn (1996): A cult classic crime action with horror elements, directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino, features Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin.
• Death Wish (1974): A vigilante film, like Machete, where the protagonist takes the law into his own hands to avenge a crime.
• Shoot ‘Em Up (2007): Shares the same over-the-top action sequences with extremely violent and creative kills.

🛒 Machete Related Products

• Machete (Blu-ray): Experience the Grindhouse mayhem at home in stunning HD. Includes behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, and extended takes for the true Machete enthusiast.
• Machete Kills – Blu-Ray: Watch the sequel to the wild movie that started it all. Now you can relive all of the glory at home and share it with your friends.
• Machete T-Shirt: Show your love for the baddest Mexican with this classic Machete t-shirt that shows the machete front and center.
• Machete Poster: Decorate your walls with the iconic Machete poster, a visual reminder of the film’s over-the-top action and unforgettable characters. Great for a dorm room or man-cave

🎧 Soundtrack

Machete features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Machete Main Title Theme” – performed by Tito & Tarantula
• “Nobody Move” – performed by Mitch Ryder
• “Mexican Radio” – performed by Tito Larriva

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Danny Trejo Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ

Hey, have you seen this GQ interview with Danny Trejo? It’s such a fun watch, especially if you’re interested in the Machete franchise. He really dives into his character development and shares some great stories from the set.

Priest scene from Machete but it’s FAITH Rotoscoped

If you’re looking for a good laugh, check out this clever parody of the priest scene from Machete. It’s a spot-on imitation of the rotoscoping style used in the anime series FAITH.

✨ Rate