Is Machete Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Machete is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 75 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Machete Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1958, Machete emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of This 1959 film-noir take on "Othello," filmed in Puerto Rico, stars Mari Blanchard as flirtatious Jean, who marries an older man, plantation owner Don Luis, for financial security and finds herself falling for his virile foster son, Carlos. Unlike standard genre fare, Machete attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Machete features a noteworthy lineup led by Mari Blanchard . Supported by the likes of Ruth Cains and Albert Dekker , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Machete (1958) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Machete Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Machete is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Machete Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Machete attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Machete reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Machete?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Machete
- Mari Blanchard – Jean Montoya
- Ruth Cains – Rita
- Albert Dekker – Don Luis Montoya
- Juano Hernández – Bernardo
- Carlos Rivas – Carlos
Top Highlights
Mari BlanchardJean Montoya
Ruth CainsRita
Albert DekkerDon Luis Montoya
Juano HernándezBernardo
Carlos RivasCarlos
Lee Van CleefMiguel
Where to Watch Machete Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
ScreenPix Apple TV Channel
ScreenPix Amazon Channel Parents Guide & Age Rating
Machete is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, Machete stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1958 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Machete movie hit or flop?
Machete has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Machete worth watching?
Machete is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Machete online?
Machete is currently available for streaming on ScreenPix Apple TV Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like ScreenPix Apple TV Channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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How Machete Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Machete
The Plantation of Passions, Pilfering and Poison. Machete is directed by Kurt Neumann and Neumann co-wrote the screenplay with Carroll Young. It stars Mari Blanchard, Albert Dekker, Carlos Rivas, Lee Van Cleef, Ruth Cains and Juano Hernandez. Music is by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter and cinematography is by Karl Struss. Set at and filmed in Aguirre, Puerto Rico, Machete is a sort of jungle noir mixed with melodramatic oddities. Plot essentially has Blanchard sticking her chest out and marrying Dekker's plantation owner purely for financial security. Upon arriving at said plantation, she quickly gets the hots for Hernandez's hard working and honest Bernardo, which puts everybody's nose out of joint, not least the scheming Miguel (Cleef). Who promptly sets about spreading the poison to feather his own nefarious laden nest. Blanchard gives her all for the femme fatale role, but everyone else is either subdued or bogged down by the silly scripting. This in turn produces some very uneven performances by the rest of the cast, which in Dekker's case is unusual. Struss' night time photography is a plus, though there's nothing particularly striking or any atmosphere enhancement going on. The fight choreography is also very poor, rendering the machete symbolism weaker than I'm sure the makers intended. As a Dekker fan I'm just pleased to have been able to see it and strike it off my "to see" list, while Blanchard's exuberant efforts always keeps it watchable. But it's a hard one to recommend with any sort of confidence. 5/10
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
