Secuestro Express (2004)

52% of critics liked it
(42 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(12,433 ratings)

The current wave of kidnappings in Latin America inspired this tense suspense drama. Martin (Jean Paul Leroux) and Carla (Mía Maestro) are a wealthy young couple who, after a night of club hopping, head back to their car to go home. However, three kidnappers -- Bubu (Pedro Perez), Niga (Carlos… More The current wave of kidnappings in Latin America inspired this tense suspense drama. Martin (Jean Paul Leroux) and Carla (Mía Maestro) are a wealthy young couple who, after a night of club hopping, head back to their car to go home. However, three kidnappers -- Bubu (Pedro Perez), Niga (Carlos Madera), and Trece (Carlos Julio Molina) -- are waiting for them; seeing how free they are with their money, the men figure that Martin and Carla should fetch a decent ransom for their release. The kidnappers demand 20,000 dollars to set Martin and Carla free, and Carla's father (Rubén Blades) struggles to raise the cash, with the criminals insisting upon payment in a mere two hours. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Jonathan Jakubowicz
Written By: Alain Jakubowicz
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Aug 5, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jan 3, 2006
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
A well-intentioned copy but one that holds much promise for its first-time director.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
Secuestro Express seems less interested in dramatizing the crushing inequities of that nation than in serving up hefty doses of sadism and titillation.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Part exploitation thriller and part sociopolitical statement, Secuestro Express is a little too enamored of its own gangsta cool to be taken seriously.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Jakubowicz pleases the eyes with closeups, sped-up scenes, hand-held camerawork and other stylized tricks.
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Jakubowicz will undoubtedly become a filmmaker to follow, as soon as he understands what he wants to say -- not just how loud he wants to say it.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Jakubowicz is a whiz at setting up an exceedingly tense predicament and then building upon it a nearly unbearable suspense with ingenuity and insight.
Anton Bitel, Film4
from its opening 'shot', Secuestro Express takes its captive audience at gunpoint on a heart-pounding tour of crime, corruption and class war in downtown Caracas.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
From beginning to end, Secuestro Express proves an obnoxious mess determinedly employing the kidnapping conceit it laments to stimulate popcorn movie sentiments.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Impeccably directed, tightly-wound and extremely tense thriller with some neat twists and a healthy dose of social commentary thrown in for good measure.
Aaron Hillis, Premiere Magazine
More than it deserves, the DVD has two director commentaries (one subtitled with the actors), deleted scenes, a couple of featurettes, and a hip-hop video of the thug trio in their real-life role as rappers.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This film gives one vision of what anarchy is like, on a small scale, at least.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
From a filmmaking angle, it's a movie to be studied, but from a writing angle, it could have been so much better.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Make sure to wear a condom if you plan on getting anywhere near this film.
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
As a kidnap thriller, Secuestro Express is a complete bore, but what's worse is that it occasionally seems to imagine it's making a point.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An unpleasant watch that showed how sleazy films can get in trying to imitate reality and Tarantino.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

A very realistic feel of a story of a kidnapping. Impressive actiing all round, in particular Mia Maestro. The kidnapping gang are played by members of one of South America's most popular rap groups 'Vagos Y Maleantes' Gritty and action packed, this film will hold… More
A very realistic feel of a story of a kidnapping. Impressive actiing all round, in particular Mia Maestro. The kidnapping gang are played by members of one of South America's most popular rap groups 'Vagos Y Maleantes' Gritty and action packed, this film will hold you from start to finish.
Ross C

It's a dog-eat-dog world in Venezuela. A story that follows the trials of a group kidnappers as well as their kidnappees, with a nice dose of humour and social commentary.
Dean M

Average, but awfully Latin-American crime thriller with drugs, kidnapped, ransom and deadly games by the gang in the most dangerous city, Caracas. Sexy Mia Maestro is fine in her performance of this film.
Mark A

A night on the town turns into a night of terror for two yuppies in Caracas. Their sin is not in having money, but in flaunting it. The tension starts out at a fever pitch and continually ratchets up. Handheld cameras, scenes shot in near darkness, and dialog that trips over itself… More
A night on the town turns into a night of terror for two yuppies in Caracas. Their sin is not in having money, but in flaunting it. The tension starts out at a fever pitch and continually ratchets up. Handheld cameras, scenes shot in near darkness, and dialog that trips over itself with sometimes three or four speaking at once, but that only adds to the pressure until the lid has to blow. Only the uniform separates the criminals from the "good" guys. Corruption reigns and a little taste is all that is needed to get them to look the other way. A powerfully affecting film that will keep one guessing right up to the somewhat curious end. Four stars.
John M

Disconcerting and crude story that is feel so real. The acting is impressively good across, as well as the direction and the script was very good with some very memorable lines all throughout. "Secuestro Express" is quick, effective movie.

Cast

            Mia Maestro as Carla "Princess"

            Ruben Blades as Sergio Carla's Father

            Carlos Julio Molina as Trece

            Pedro Pérez as BudÃº

            Carlos Madera as Niga

            Jean Paul Leroux as MartÃ­n "Teddy Bear"

            Edgar José Quijada as Dolor

            Ermahn Ospina as Marcelo

            Adrian Blanco as Juancho

            Dawn Rider as Cangrejo

            Aníbal Grum as MartÃ­n's Dad

            Elba Escobar as Cashier At Pharmacy

            Chile Veloz as Radio DJ

            Dimas González as Guard

            Pantera as Guard

            Balmore Moreno as Officer BriceÃ±o

            Víctor Ortíz as Officer Blanco

            Jackson O'Neil Pérez as BudÃº's Son

            Andrea Tovar Meneses as BudÃº's Sister

            Jesus as Padilla

            Miguel Ángel Landa as Security Agent

            Dalila Colombo as Woman In Flashback 1

            Michael Murciano as Man In Flashback 1

            Israel "El Gato" Ibarra as Thug Of Aicabala

            John Francis as Drag Queen

            Paolo as Drag Queen

            Johán Godoy as Drag Queen

            Ladimar as Drag Queen

            Alberto Estrella as Drag Queen

            Eric Colón as Junkie

            Salomon Jakubowicz as Poor Man

            Karina Sánchez as Poor Woman

            Eduardo Jakubowicz as Casino Patron

            Clara Jakubowicz as Casino Patron
See full cast