Sin Nombre

Name: Sin Nombre
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: March 20, 2009
Rating: 77
Cast: Paulina Gaitan

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 62 Ratings

See All

8.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 62 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Sin Nombre

Now Playing: Sin Nombre

Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: March 20, 2009 | R

Starring: Paulina Gaitan

Summary: Seeking the promise of America, a beautiful young Honduran woman, Sayra, joins her father and uncle on an odyssey to cross the gauntlet of the Latin American countryside en route to the United States. Along the way she crosses paths with a teenage Mexican gang member, El Casper, who is maneuvering to outrun his violent past and elude hisSeeking the promise of America, a beautiful young Honduran woman, Sayra, joins her father and uncle on an odyssey to cross the gauntlet of the Latin American countryside en route to the United States. Along the way she crosses paths with a teenage Mexican gang member, El Casper, who is maneuvering to outrun his violent past and elude his unforgiving former associates. Together they must rely on faith, trust and street smarts if they are to survive their increasingly perilous journey towards the hope of new lives. (Focus Features)… Expand

Director: Cary Fukunaga

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Jennie Punter

Thrilling and beautifully crafted. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

It contains risk, violence, a little romance, even fleeting moments of humor, but most of all, it sees what danger and heartbreak are involved. It is riveting from start to finish. Read full review

100

Joe Morgenstern

Mr. Fukanaga's purpose is to evoke the immigrants' experience, which he does with such eloquence and power as to inspire awe. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

There is bitter and breathtaking truth in the story and in the story- telling, which won Fukunaga the directing and cinematography award in the dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Fukunaga has a fine, spacious film sense and a gift for action, but the doomy, heavy-handed plot devices and overwrought, overacted gangland set pieces betray a novice's hand. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Whenever Sin Nombre turns violent, it seizes you with its convulsive skill, but the film's images vastly outstrip its imagination. Read full review

Scott Foundas

Lushly photographed and meticulously sound-designed, Sin Nombre is visceral without being vital, researched without ever seeming lived-in. Read full review

SEE ALL 22 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

TracyR

May 16, 2009

Absorbing and beautifully told and acted. I've been to Tapachula and seen those trains and the movie is right on the mark. Terrific film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KimberlyC

Jun 4, 2009

Storytelling at it's best. A poignant and moving tale told in a rich hue of a world most of us are sheltered from and oblivious to. Unpretentious, enlightening and moving.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

sams

Oct 2, 2009

This movie was brilliant. Great story telling - and hey, there's a reason certain plot lines are repeated - it's called "compelling" - and this story is. And this isn't "City of God" - a good thing - there's no glorification of gangs here (however inadvertently). A This movie was brilliant. Great story telling - and hey, there's a reason certain plot lines are repeated - it's called "compelling" - and this story is. And this isn't "City of God" - a good thing - there's no glorification of gangs here (however inadvertently). A contemporary Grapes of Wrath. Brilliant.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

TerenceS

May 28, 2009

Don't believe what Manny says about the movie. There are people who do smile and have fun, but the motivating story is about people trying to get to America so that they can have a better life, because theirs sucks. So, naturally the main characters aren't bubbling with Don't believe what Manny says about the movie. There are people who do smile and have fun, but the motivating story is about people trying to get to America so that they can have a better life, because theirs sucks. So, naturally the main characters aren't bubbling with excitement, and cracking wise. This is hands down one of the best movies I've seen in '09. It's beautifully shot, and it's powerful and moving. I upon leaving the movie, I wanted to punch a gang member in the face, it was that good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Deanomite

Jan 8, 2020

Well filmed, very authentic feeling road picture. A class of people who live for today simply because there is nothing else, adds a vibrance that is rarely captured on film. Apparently the director spent a couple years living with Mexican gangs to flesh out the tone. Not nearly asWell filmed, very authentic feeling road picture. A class of people who live for today simply because there is nothing else, adds a vibrance that is rarely captured on film. Apparently the director spent a couple years living with Mexican gangs to flesh out the tone. Not nearly as effective as the follow up Beasts of no Nation a few years later, but a strong entry.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Johnny2cents

Oct 4, 2009

Like Gommorah, Sin Nombre is a visceral look at one of the deadliest criminal gangs on the planet. Greatly shot and well acted but in the end makes you feel like crap because you know that similar story's like this with the MS-13 have and will continue to happen leaving at least me Like Gommorah, Sin Nombre is a visceral look at one of the deadliest criminal gangs on the planet. Greatly shot and well acted but in the end makes you feel like crap because you know that similar story's like this with the MS-13 have and will continue to happen leaving at least me wondering what the f--k is wrong with humans??… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Not-a-critic

Nov 11, 2011

If you like watching human suffering and tragedy by all means watch this movie(or the news). If you watch movies for having a good time the donÂ´t. I watched this movie based on user reviews.... MISTAKE. Huge waste of time.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

SEE ALL 16 REVIEWS

58	#58 Best Movie of 2009
79	#79 Most Shared Movie of 2009