The Best Performances in Robert Rodriguez's Movies, Ranked The Talks Today

May 2024 · 5 minute read

Robert Rodriguez has delivered some of the most action-packed films of the early 21st century. From the Sin City series to gorier flicks such as Planet Terror, From Dusk Till Dawn, and The Faculty, Robert Rodriguez maintains a reputation for keeping his audience at the edge of its seat. Nevertheless, no good film comes without excellent acting and this filmmaker has included several A-list actors into his stories. Here are some of the best performances seen in a Robert Rodriguez film.

9/9 Rose McGowan as Cherry Darling – Planet Terror (2007)

Rose McGowan had already established herself as a Scream Queen from her early performances in Scream, Phantoms, and Devil in the Flesh. In Planet Terror, though, she was cast as the final girl in the film, Cherry Darling. From midair acrobatics to intense moments of anguish and loss, Rose McGowan proves that she is more than capable of handling any leading role sent her way.

8/9 Jessica Alba as Nancy Callahan – Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)

Appearing roughly in the last ten minutes of the film, Jessica Alba manages to hold the spotlight as an emotionally unstable Nancy Callahan. Following the demise of her protector, John Hartigan, Nancy has immersed herself in a lifestyle of working and drinking the nights away. When she finally decides to take revenge, Jessica Alba delivers a gut-wrenching transformation where we see Nancy go from victim to vigilante.

Related: Why Neo-Noir Could Be the Genre of the Decade.

7/9 Alexa Vega as Carmen Cortez – Spy Kids (2001)

In Spy Kids, Alexa Vega portrays Carmen Cortez, a bratty ten-year-old that loves to take charge and boss around her little brother, Juni. When their parents are kidnapped, Carmen leads herself and Juni on a mission to rescue them. Vega’s performance is nuanced, with a spunk and cleverness that makes one believe that ten-year-old spies actually exist.

6/9 Bruce Willis as John Hartigan – Sin City (2005)

Bruce Willis has a long list of “tough guy” characters he’s portrayed throughout his career, but John Hartigan stands out as the most complex. Overnight, Hartigan goes from being one of his city’s protectors to a perceived criminal. Incarcerated unjustly for eight years, Hartigan has one goal in mind: to protect Nancy Callahan upon his release. A hero in every sense of the word, John Hartigan is easily one of Bruce Willis’ best performances.

5/9 Elijah Wood as Kevin – Sin City (2005)

Elijah Wood started his career portraying innocent characters in films such as The Good Son and Flipper. Though he’s best-remembered for his work in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as the story’s hero, Frodo Baggins, Elijah Wood has also demonstrated his ability to portray darker characters. In Sin City, he transforms into a sinister role as one of the film’s minor villains, Kevin. Conniving and relentless, Kevin preys on his victims without any shred of compassion. His mercilessness makes for a bone-chilling performance that almost makes audiences forget it’s Elijah Wood onscreen.

4/9 Johnny Depp as Agent Sands – Once Upon A Time in Mexico (2003)

Johnny Depp is easily one of this generation’s greatest actors. From Sweeney Todd to Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp demonstrates repeatedly that he can take on any role. In Once Upon A Time in Mexico, Depp portrays Agent Sands, a corrupt agent working alongside criminals for his own personal gain. The most chilling part of Depp’s performance is his transformation towards the film’s climax, where he goes from a man to something almost inhuman.

Related: Spy Kids: Why Robert Rodriguez’s Family Film Became So Popular

3/9 Antonio Banderas as Mariachi – Desperado (1995)

In the sequel to his first film, El Mariachi, Robert Rodriguez introduces us to a new “El Mariachi,” portrayed by Antonio Banderas. Conflicted by his past, his love interest, and the town mobster, El Bucho, El Mariachi is constantly having to make desperate decisions to save his life and those around him. This story’s ending is significantly less tragic than its predecessor by giving its hero a happy ending. Nevertheless, it’s an emotional rollercoaster to see Antonio Banderas portray a character with everything on the line.

2/9 Harvey Keitel as Jacob Fuller – From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Harvey Keitel is also one of those actors known for his “tough guy” roles, but in From Dusk Till Dawn, the actor shows us he can portray any type of character as the tormented pastor, Jacob Fuller. After the passing of his wife, Jacob finds himself questioning his very faith while trying to restore normalcy in his family. A series of events requires Jacob to come to terms with his conflict for the greater good of his children and humanity. Harvey Keitel’s performance is a tear-jerker from beginning to end.

1/9 Carlos Gallardo as El Mariachi – El Mariachi (1992)

Last but not least, it can’t go without mentioning that some of the strongest acting seen in a Robert Rodriguez film is in his first film ever, El Mariachi. Newcomer Carlos Gallardo portrays the titular character “El Mariachi” spectacularly. Full of dreams and a family legacy to uphold, El Mariachi is quickly met with obstacle after obstacle, from being pursued by the town mob lord, Moco, to engaging in a turbulent relationship with Domino, a woman Moco has also set his eyes on. During the film’s tragic finale, El Mariachi finds himself a shell of the man he once was, and has absolutely nothing to hold dear aside from the guitar case he started his journey with.

ncG1vNJzZmismJrBorjKrKuonJGue6S7zGiroZ1dl7K0wIypnKuen6e6orrCnqpmoZ5iv7CuxKurZqqfmb%2Bqs9SesaxlnaTDqrHSZqmappuasXA%3D