Matador (1986)

88% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(9,716 ratings)

Once-great Spanish matador Nacho Martinez has been reduced to starring in gruesome "snuff" films. Martinez is idolized by Antonio Banderas, who has no notion of his idol's current illegal profession. Terrified at the thought of drawing blood in the bullring, Banderas nevertheless seeks out Martinez'… More Once-great Spanish matador Nacho Martinez has been reduced to starring in gruesome "snuff" films. Martinez is idolized by Antonio Banderas, who has no notion of his idol's current illegal profession. Terrified at the thought of drawing blood in the bullring, Banderas nevertheless seeks out Martinez' assistance in preparing for a bullfighting career. To prove his "machismo", Banderas rapes Martinez' lady-friend Eva Cobo. No one will believe Banderas' confession of the rape, so he decides to attach more importance to his crime by confessing to a recent rash of serial killings (actually perpetrated by Martinez and his cohorts). Bandera's case is taken by feminist attorney Assumpta Serna, who unwittingly--but not unwillingly--sets herself up as Martinez' next "conquest." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: NC-17, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar
Genres: Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 7, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Dec 8, 2009
Studio: Cinevista/World Artists

Critic Reviews

Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times
It's a useful look at this Spanish auteur finding his way but lacks the elan of his later work.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie looks terrific and is acted with absolute, straight-faced conviction by the excellent cast...
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Murder, mutilation, suicide and rape...[are] just a few of Matador's popcorn-incompatible themes. But [Almodovar] swirls his cape over these chargers so imaginatively, shamelessly and inventively, his flamboyance wins the day.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
The sincerity here is of a special cracked sort -- the brand that induces laughter but is undiminished by it.
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
A consistently audacious fantasy of sex and violence set in a modern-day Madrid where everyone is ready to surrender to his or her particular passions.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
follows a bizarre, but ultimately logical path
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The "prolonged orgasm" is Almodóvar's format and tenor
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
fascinating and wonderfully lurid!
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A richly detailed, physically gorgeous movie (Almodovar's most professional-looking work to that time) that almost has too much on its mind.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Matador is quite serious for Almodóvar. He's dropped all the trash and bad taste humour and replaced it with quite serious issues of sex and murder. It felt a little bit like a Gaillo film to me, albeit a Almodóvar version of. Antonio Banderas really impresses here and you can… More
Matador is quite serious for Almodóvar. He's dropped all the trash and bad taste humour and replaced it with quite serious issues of sex and murder. It felt a little bit like a Gaillo film to me, albeit a Almodóvar version of. Antonio Banderas really impresses here and you can see why it was turning point in his career, the same also applies for Almodóvar as this was his first internationally successful film. The last scene has quite an impact, it's hard to say whether it was happy or sad really but it certainly haunts. An impressive change of pace but with all the charm of his originals.
Randy T

An unlikely love affair emerges between two serial killers, one is a thrill-seeking ex matador and the other a gorgeous and twisted defense attorney. To say that a Pedro Almodóvar film revolves around an odd set of circumstances is like pointing out that Yul Brenner is bald or that… More
An unlikely love affair emerges between two serial killers, one is a thrill-seeking ex matador and the other a gorgeous and twisted defense attorney. To say that a Pedro Almodóvar film revolves around an odd set of circumstances is like pointing out that Yul Brenner is bald or that Truman Capote was gay. It's just something that's understood. And true to his nature, Almodóvar approaches this bizarre situation without judgment or preconception. Part of his genius lies in his assumption that audiences are basically intelligent and, when given enough information, are perfectly capable of drawing their own conclusions. Another perspicacious offering from the underrated Spanish master.
Stella D

torture porn? necrophilia? that's just the first five minutes...then it gets weird. one twisted and hilarious waltz of sex and death
Lady D

As an early Almodovar film, you can clearly see the stamp of the talented Director. A very young Antonio Banderas also provides us with a little insight into his earlier work. The storyline unravels into a sadistic thriller, where two serial killers share a morbid sexual… More
As an early Almodovar film, you can clearly see the stamp of the talented Director. A very young Antonio Banderas also provides us with a little insight into his earlier work. The storyline unravels into a sadistic thriller, where two serial killers share a morbid sexual obsession. It's certainly an original piece, as are all of the Almodovar films that I've seen to date, perhaps not quite as polished as his more recent work, but still a good watch for any fan.
William S

Almodovar's most twisted and subversive film. A love story between two serial killers!? Fantastic