Release: 2011-07-27
Runtime: 1h 48m (108 minutes)
After witnessing her parents’ murder as a child in Bogota, Cataleya Restrepo grows up to be a stone-cold assassin. She works for her uncle as a hitman by day, but her personal time is spent engaging in vigilante murders that she hopes will lead her to her ultimate target: the mobster responsible for her parents' death.
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Provided by JustWatch
Genres: Drama, Action, Thriller, Crime
Cast: Zoe Saldaña, Amandla Stenberg, Michael Vartan, more
Zoe Saldaña
as Cataleya Restrepo
Amandla Stenberg
as Cataleya Restrepo (Age10)
Michael Vartan
as Danny Delanay
Max Martini
as Agent Robert Williams
Cliff Curtis
as Emilio
Tony Dalton
as American Embassy 1
Cynthia Addai-Robinson
as Alicia
Graham McTavish
as Head Marshall Warren
Jordi Mollà
as Marco
Lennie James
as Special Agent Ross
Callum Blue
as Richard
Affif Ben Badra
as Genarro Rizzo
After witnessing her parents’ murder as a child in Bogota, Cataleya Restrepo grows up to be a stone-cold assassin. She works for her uncle as a hitman by day, but her personal time is spent engaging in vigilante murders that she hopes will lead her to her ultimate target: the mobster responsible for her parents' death.
Revenge is beautiful.
Colombiana is a gripping action thriller that was released in the United States on 26 August 2011. Directed by Olivier Megaton and produced by Luc Besson, the film stars Zoe Saldaña as the main character, Cataleya. This movie tells the story of a young girl who becomes a skilled assassin seeking vengeance for her family's murder.
The narrative begins in 1992, in Bogotá, Colombia, where drug lord Don Luis Sandoval orders the killing of Fabio Restrepo, a former gang member who tried to leave the drug trade. Before his death, Fabio gives his daughter Cataleya a memory card filled with crucial information and instructs her to seek refuge with her uncle Emilio in Chicago. After her escape and journey to the United States, Cataleya grows up determined to exact revenge on those who harmed her family.
Fifteen years later, Cataleya, now a trained killer, takes on contracts to eliminate men associated with Don Luis, leaving a signature of cattleya flower at the crime scenes. As she navigates the dangerous world of assassination, the FBI begins to close in on her. Agent James Ross, played by Lennie James, is tasked with tracking down the mysterious killer behind the murders.
The film showcases various intense action sequences and displays Saldaña's talent as an actress. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, her performance as Cataleya was highlighted positively. The movie grossed approximately $63.4 million worldwide against a budget of $40 million.
Colombiana features a talented cast, including:
The film was inspired by a script originally intended as a sequel to Léon: The Professional but was transformed into a standalone story. Filming took place across various locations, including Chicago and New Orleans.
While the film has been criticized for its portrayal of Colombia and its stereotypes, it has also sparked discussions about immigration and wealth inequality. The movie's themes resonate with audiences, as it combines action with deeper social commentary.
As of 2024, there are talks of a sequel, Colombiana 2, although it has not yet been officially confirmed. Fans of the genre appreciate the film for its blend of action and a strong female lead, making it a notable entry in the action thriller category.
