Machete Kills

Danny Trejo returns as the titular ex-Federale agent in Robert Rodriguez's 2013 sequel, a film that pushes its over-the-top action to even stranger heights. The story finds Machete recruited by the President of the United States for a suicide mission against two distinct threats: a radical revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer plotting global chaos. This entry in the franchise leans heavily into the B-movie aesthetic Rodriguez loves, blending crime thriller elements with sci-fi absurdity. The production featured a star-studded supporting cast including Mel Gibson, Amber Heard, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sofía Vergara, all playing characters who fit the movie's heightened reality. Despite a $20 million budget, the film struggled at the box office, earning just over $17.5 million worldwide. Critics and audiences gave it a lukewarm reception, reflected in its modest rating of roughly 5.6 out of 10. Still, the movie remains a cult favorite for fans of Rodriguez's unique brand of stylized violence and political satire.[edit]