Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

64% Tomatometer 92 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings

When their truck suddenly breaks down, a migrant named Moises leads 13 others on a trek through the harsh terrain along the U.S.-Mexico border. Inconvenience soon turns into horror as the sounds of gunfire shatter the tranquil desert landscape. Desperate and on the run, the survivors find themselves in a fight for their lives against a psychotic sniper and his vicious hunting dog. Moises must now use his wits and instincts to kill the relentless predator before he claims more victims.

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Desierto - Border Sniper

Desierto - Border Sniper

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Critics Consensus

Desierto's thought-provoking themes and refreshing perspective are unfortunately offset by a predictable plot and thinly written characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Adam Nayman Cinema Scope Jonás Cuarón's Desierto has a certain abstract, conceptual power. Sep 28, 2017 Full Review Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Eric Kohn indieWire Give "Desierto" credit for this: There has never been a more appropriate time for a tense thriller about Mexican immigrants avoiding the murderous advances of a gun-wielding American lunatic. Rated: B- Oct 15, 2016 Full Review Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Katie Walsh Los Angeles Times A generic thriller that happens to be wrapped in political packaging. That packaging is sometimes more interesting than the thrills themselves. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 15, 2016 Full Review Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Robin Holabird Robin Holabird Isolated terrain featuring looming rock formations and challenging stretches of desert contribute to the story's menacing elements. Aug 10, 2021 Full Review Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Although the film is narrowly focused, it is a tense and loud protest against an egregious and pervasive social ill. Feb 26, 2021 Full Review Desierto - Border Sniper | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Erin Blackwell Bay Area Reporter There's no story here, only a one-sided shoot-em-up as callous as a video game. Hollywood has always been cynical, but Desierto distinguishes itself by its indifference to the dilemma it depicts. Jun 8, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Richard N Acting was OK but plot line was ridiculous and the entire movie was so far removed from reality that it was insulting to anyone with even an ounce of intelligence. A random guy that murders a bunch of illegals with no consequence? A semi-auto rifle that operates like a bolt-action except for when the 'victim' uses it against the perp? A flare that burns a dog alive and sets cactuses on fire? People that run through the desert for days with no food or water and are barely tired? A bad guy that only drinks whiskey in the desert but can make accurate shots on running people at over 100 yards? the whole thing was some sort of ridiculous hollywood fantasy. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/04/24 Full Review Ramiro E This movie is sad but truly focuses on what many immigrants can go through while crossing the border, definitely a must watch Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/30/24 Full Review Dimitris T As a rare example of a thriller touching upon a 100% real humanitarian issue, Desierto has you on the edge of your seat every single second. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/24 Full Review Philip S This Movie makes you think that this could happen, but I’m sure many unrecorded violent killings happens due to extremists preying on the helpless, on both sides of the border. One note, I enjoyed the directors narrative in the bonus feature.PJJS Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/05/24 Full Review Erica D In this day and age, this movie can not be glanced over as mere cinema, but as a window into the lives of outcasts and the trials endured for the sake of a better future, as well as a physical manifestation of the sickness that plagues the mind of those who believe they have a right to pass and exert judgement are the privileged few. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/24 Full Review Mariela C The dog part. For all sensitive animal lovers, nah. i dislike movies that show animal suffering. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Desierto - Border Sniper

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Cast & Crew

Jonás Cuarón Director Gael García Bernal Moises Jeffrey Dean Morgan Sam Alondra Hidalgo Adela Diego Cataño Mechas Marco Pérez Lobo
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Desierto - Border Sniper

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Desierto - Border Sniper

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Synopsis When their truck suddenly breaks down, a migrant named Moises leads 13 others on a trek through the harsh terrain along the U.S.-Mexico border. Inconvenience soon turns into horror as the sounds of gunfire shatter the tranquil desert landscape. Desperate and on the run, the survivors find themselves in a fight for their lives against a psychotic sniper and his vicious hunting dog. Moises must now use his wits and instincts to kill the relentless predator before he claims more victims.

Director
Jonás Cuarón

Producer
Alfonso Cuarón, Carlos Cuarón, Alex Garcia, Charles Gillibert

Screenwriter
Jonás Cuarón, Mateo Garcia

Distributor
STX Entertainment

Production Co
Itaca Films, CG Cinéma

Rating
R (Strong Violence and Language)

Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Action, Drama

Original Language
Spanish

Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 2016, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 7, 2017

Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.0M

Runtime
1h 30m

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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