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 11, 2026
The Premise
Released in 1958, Machete enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on 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. Under the direction of Kurt Neumann, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Mari Blanchard. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, Machete offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, Machete resonates with current cultural themes in the Drama space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of early 2026, Machete is available for streaming on ScreenPix Apple TV Channel. It is also featured on platforms like ScreenPix Amazon Channel . For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of Machete centers on a unique premise within the Drama landscape. 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. Fearing that Jean will inherit Luis's money, his greedy cousin, Miguel, poisons the bridegroom against his new wife, informing him about her passion for another. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1958 cinema will find fairly predictable.
Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of Machete has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Machete sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for Machete (1958): with an audience rating of 5.9/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Drama cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
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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People Also Ask (FAQs)
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.
What is the story of Machete?
Machete is a Drama movie that follows: 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 fa...
Is Machete family friendly?
Machete is classified as Drama. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.
What language is Machete available in?
Machete is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Synopsis
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. Fearing that Jean will inherit Luis's money, his greedy cousin, Miguel, poisons the bridegroom against his new wife, informing him about her passion for another.
Critic Reviews
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