Sin Nombre (2009)
91%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: 14 wins & 18 nominations
Part harrowing immigration tale, part gangster story, this debut by writer/director Cary Fukunaga is sensitive, insightful and deeply authentic.
Sin Nombre is a movie that will make you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster ride, but instead of loops and drops, you’re hit with raw emotions and heart-wrenching scenes. The performances and cinematography are so naturalistic that you’ll forget you’re watching a movie and feel like you’re right there with the characters. Sure, the story may feel a bit anemic at times, but the exotic setting and strong performances more than make up for it. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about the nameless people behind the headlines. So buckle up and get ready for a wild ride with Sin Nombre!
Production Company(ies)
C J Entertainment, Moho Film Yong Film
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Torreón, Coahuíla, Mexico
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence, language and some sexual content
Year of Release
2009
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 36m
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Language(s):Spanish
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Country of origin:Mexico
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 2009 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009
Genre(s)
Drama/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Paulina Gaitán, Edgar Flores, Kristyan Ferrer, Tenoch Huerta, Diana García, Luis Fernando Peña, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, written by Cary Joji Fukunaga, drama, adventure, R rating, Amy Kaufman producer, $2.5M box office, reviewed by Chris Chang, Ben Kenigsberg, Joshua Rothkopf, William Thomas, Trevor Johnston, Kevin Maher, Felicia Feaster, Nikki Baughan, Kelly Jane Torrance, Mark Asch, Paulina Gaitán as Sayra, Edgar Flores as Willy, El Casper, Kristyan Ferrer as El Smiley, Tenoch Huerta as Lil’ Mago, Diana García as Martha Marlene, Luis Fernando Peña as El Sol
Worldwide gross: $5,102,705
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $7,052,503
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,073
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 769,084
US/Canada gross: $2,536,665
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,505,952
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,905
US/Canada opening weekend: $81,446
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $112,567
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,892
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Edgar Flores – Willy, El Casper
Kristyan Ferrer – El Smiley
Tenoch Huerta – Lil’ Mago
Diana García – Martha Marlene
Luis Fernando Peña – El Sol
Director(s)
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Writer(s)
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Producer(s)
Amy Kaufman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
14 wins & 18 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (120) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (106) | Rotten (14)
[F]or all its raw simplicity, the film manages to conjure a veritable library of references.
October 20, 2014
Chris Chang
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
November 18, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Ben Kenigsberg
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Captivatingly naturalistic performances and cinematography almost makes up for the lack of a larger political framework.
August 14, 2009 | Rating: 3/5
William Thomas
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It’s a tribute to the visceral impact of the staging that the film retains its grip despite becoming somewhat predictable, while thematically it’s the usual cycle-of-violence hand wringing.
August 14, 2009 | Rating: 3/5
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
For all its formal élan and gritty location shooting, Sin Nombre is a wearily hollow, morally specious movie.
August 14, 2009 | Rating: 2/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The exotic setting and strong performances go a long way toward distinguishing Sin Nombre, even if the story itself can feel anemic.
January 27, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Charleston City Paper
Eloquent, elegant and utterly heartbreaking, Sin Nombre is one of the most exciting pieces of cinema we’ve seen in a long time.
October 25, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Nikki Baughan
Roll Credits
If you want to learn about the nameless people behind the headlines, Sin Nombre is the best place to start.
December 8, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/4
Kelly Jane Torrance
Washington Times
Sin Nombre still leaves an acrid aftertaste.
September 29, 2015
Mark Asch
Stop Smiling
Fukunaga wastes no time with laborious explanations for his characters’ motives.
August 16, 2011
Kelly Vance
East Bay Express
It’s a drama, a romance and a thriller, but make no mistake – Sin Nombre pulls no punches in delivery a raw, powerful film that shrugs aside genre convention.
March 1, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Mike Edwards
What Culture…
Plot
In Honduras, a man and his son and daughter set out to get into the United States and ultimately New Jersey, where his wife and the rest of the family is. Their journey will take them through Guatemala and Mexico. Meanwhile, in Southern Mexico, a young man is struggling to reconcile his membership of a gang and his personal life. Circumstances will force his and the three Hondurans’ paths to converge, for better or worse.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features Paulina Gaitán, who delivers a standout performance as Sayra.
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