Watch Transpecos

"Transpecos" is a tense thriller set in the desolate and unforgiving landscape of the American Southwest. The film follows three border patrol agents, Flores (Gabriel Luna), Davis (Johnny Simmons), and Hobbs (Clifton Collins Jr.), as they work the isolated highway checkpoint that separates the United States and Mexico. The three men are vastly different in personality and experience, but they share a common goal - to protect their country from drug smugglers and other criminals who might use the border to infiltrate the U.S. Despite the monotony of their work, the agents are always on high alert, never knowing what kind of danger might emerge from the barren landscape.

One day, the agents encounter an SUV that raises their suspicion. They find drugs hidden in the vehicle's tires and arrest the driver, a young Mexican man named Gustavo. However, when they take Gustavo back to their base for questioning, the situation spirals out of control. Gustavo is not who he seems, and the agents are sucked into a dangerous world of cartel trafficking and corrupt law enforcement.

As the day wears on, tensions rise between the three agents as they struggle to come to terms with Gustavo's true identity and the frightening implications it carries. The men are forced to confront their own prejudices and biases as they try to determine which side Gustavo is really on and how they can use him to further their own agendas.

"Transpecos" is a tightly-wound thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat from start to finish. Director Greg Kwedar expertly uses the vast, empty landscape of the desert to convey a sense of isolation and unease that permeates every scene. The film's sparse dialogue and muted color palette give it a feeling of gritty realism, and the strong performances by the three lead actors bring depth and complexity to their characters.

Gabriel Luna, in particular, shines as the stoic and unflappable Flores, whose outward calm belies a deep inner turmoil. Johnny Simmons is equally impressive as the young, inexperienced Davis, who finds himself in over his head as the situation escalates. Clifton Collins Jr. rounds out the trio with a nuanced performance as Hobbs, a veteran agent who has seen it all but still struggles to come to terms with the harsh realities of the job.

"Transpecos" is a harrowing look at the toll that border patrol work can take on those who do it. The film is not a political commentary, but rather a character-driven story that delves into the complex psychology of men and women who choose to work in a field that is often thankless and dangerous. It's a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll, a testament to the power of great storytelling and the human spirit.

Transpecos is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 73.