The Matador | Rotten Tomatoes

The Matador

R

Released Jan 27, 2006

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

List

75%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

66%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

Salesman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) is working through his shaky marriage and the untimely death of his child when he bumps into the similarly dispirited Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) in a Mexican dive bar. After they develop an unusual but meaningful bond, the brash Julian reveals that he is a contract killer, which doesn't bother Danny. Months later, a desperate Julian shows up at Danny's home and asks for a life-changing favor that truly puts their friendship to the test.

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Critics Consensus

This humorously amoral, oddball comic thriller features strong performances by Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear as a flamboyant, aging hit-man and an out of work suburban businessman, respectively.

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Heather Havrilesky

Salon.com

Hope Davis' brilliant turn as Kinnear's naive but slightly naughty wife... is the cherry on director Richard Shepard's sundae.

Jul 16, 2019

Full Review

Ben Walters

Time Out

Brosnan's irreverent charm makes this a welcome alternative to Bond nonsense, even if it's insufficient to compensate for dreary Kinnear ...

Aug 16, 2007

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Nice characters and situations: unfortunately, writer-director Richard Shephard didn't have much idea where to go with them.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 27, 2007

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Brosnan and Kinnear are up to the challenge, both delivering very solid performances. Brosnan seems to be having a lot of fun playing off his James Bond past, while Kinnear proves to be the perfect adversary.

Rated: B

Nov 20, 2019

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Intelligently written with sparkling and witty repartee, intriguing quirkiness and entertainment value that is endlessly enjoyable, The Matador is the film to take a stab at this week!

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

R.L. Shaffer

IGN DVD

Absurd and quirky at times, The Matador plays like a "Bizarro World" variation of a James Bond film. It's beautifully shot, strange and deeply meaningful.

Rated: 8/10

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

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Alec B

It's surprisingly low-key for an "action-comedy" (if it should even be called that) and it's full of surprising plot choices that opt for a more conversational tone than obvious jokes. Brosnan is so, so good in this role. Just cartoonish enough to be amusing and then measured exactly when he needs to be.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Cork B

Matador is well acted, with quirky dialogue and oddball plot. My major issue with this film is that we are supposed to sympathize with basically a serial killer because he is, what, affable? He is still a serial killer. And even if he wasn't, his other life decisions left a bunch to be desired.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

john s

One of the best movies ever!! That's saying ALOT. Considering the burnt out hitman/mob boss is maybe only second to zombie/vampire drama/comedy's. 2 most over saturated storylines the last 2 decades. The Matador and Shaun of the Dead stand alone above the 200+ movies that somehow still not slowing down.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Original in every way. Perfect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved returning to this film. The first time I saw it perhaps I felt it was not what I expected. It is a fun comedy about getting older. Appreciated experience from an old film lover.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

tibo m

The Matador is best described in three words: Strange but fun. It is just a simple concept and you don't have to think hard while watching it, that's what makes this movie enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Richard Shepard

Director

Pierce Brosnan

Julian Noble

Greg Kinnear

Danny Wright

Hope Davis

Carolyn 'Bean' Wright

Philip Baker Hall

Mr. Randy

Dylan Baker

Lovell

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Synopsis

Salesman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) is working through his shaky marriage and the untimely death of his child when he bumps into the similarly dispirited Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) in a Mexican dive bar. After they develop an unusual but meaningful bond, the brash Julian reveals that he is a contract killer, which doesn't bother Danny. Months later, a desperate Julian shows up at Danny's home and asks for a life-changing favor that truly puts their friendship to the test.

Director: Richard Shepard
Producer: Pierce Brosnan, Bryan Furst, Sean Furst, Beau St. Clair
Screenwriter: Richard Shepard
Production Co: Stratus Films
Rating: R (Strong Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.6M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround

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