El Chicano

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2:08

El Chicano

R

2019

1h 47m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

40%

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25 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

When LAPD Detective Diego Hernandez is assigned a career-making case investigating a vicious cartel, he uncovers links to his brother's supposed suicide and a turf battle that's about to swallow his neighborhood. Torn between playing by the book and seeking justice, he resurrects the masked street legend El Chicano. Now, out to take down his childhood buddy turned gang boss, he sets off a bloody war to defend his city and avenge his brother's murder.

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Critics Consensus

El Chicano represents a step forward for representation in superhero cinema -- unfortunately, its clichéd story is nothing more than ordinary.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Sep 28, 2019

It does have some riveting moments and some very strong acting.

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

May 14, 2019

C-

Ben Hernandez Bray's "El Chicano" seldom amounts to anything more than a crude prototype for the kind of Latinx-driven superhero movies that Marvel and DC should already be making by now.

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Matthew Monagle

Austin Chronicle

May 9, 2019

2/5

When your lead actor doesn't seem to be having any fun in an action movie, there's not much left for audiences to cling to. Genre fans will need to look elsewhere for their gunslinger fix.

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Dan Buffa

KSDK News (St. Louis)

Nov 10, 2020

...let me just say this Latino superhero film is a highly entertaining, wildly innovative, and trailblazing movie...

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

May 13, 2019

C

The first all-Latino superhero movie is unfortunately an uninspiring B movie.

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Noah Berlatsky

The Verge

May 9, 2019

[Director Ben Hernandez] Bray wants the film to be another straightforward superhero empowerment narrative. But he keeps stumbling onto complicated questions he doesn't want to acknowledge or resolve.

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Robert P

@Superbad 3 days ago

El Chicano is a 2.5 star Movie!!! So why is somebody give it a *5* star rating???

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Xanda M

@RT19493561 Mar 16, 2026

The movie is well done, but more for those who love testosterone-driven violence.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Sep 24, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $1,400,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Y3LASTORM T

@RT58586181 Sep 14, 2024

This was a great movie don't be mislead by the review I loved it.

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Kevin R

@RT17573018 Nov 29, 2023

The Redhood movie we don't deserve. Maybe I would rate it lower if a live action Redhood movie existed.

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Ted B

@Movieaddicted Feb 17, 2023

3 stsrs; With no apologies to Marvel or DC movies, I really enjoy Superhero movies where the hero doesn't have any special superpowers. Just a desire and motivation to 'do the right thing. The LA Barrios Cartel scene was a good location for the action reflecting today's headlines. Yeah. The plot was pretty storyboard, but I liked the way Raul Castillo played the role in a way that gave you empathy for his character. There was plenty action, including the obligatory car chase. But it wasn't too overdone, like many Superhero Movies. I'm already looking forward to a El Chicano - 2. The story is unfinished. Revenge is left hanging in the air.

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El Chicano: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When LAPD Detective Diego Hernandez is assigned a career-making case investigating a vicious cartel, he uncovers links to his brother's supposed suicide and a turf battle that's about to swallow his neighborhood. Torn between playing by the book and seeking justice, he resurrects the masked street legend El Chicano. Now, out to take down his childhood buddy turned gang boss, he sets off a bloody war to defend his city and avenge his brother's murder.

Director: Ben Hernandez Bray
Producer: Joe Carnahan, Lorenzo di Bonaventura
Screenwriter: Joe Carnahan, Ben Hernandez Bray
Distributor: Briarcliff Entertainment
Production Co: WarParty Films
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Language Throughout)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 3, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 30, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 47m

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