Overview
A gripping tale of a revolutionary turned terrorist, exploring the thin line between ideology and violence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Graphic
- intense
- paranoid
- propulsive
- historical film marathon
- political cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s commanding lead performance, ambitious historical scope, and immersive political detail, while finding its length demanding.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Carlos moves across Europe and the Middle East while navigating Palestinian organizations, revolutionary groups, and international security forces.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez builds a legendary revolutionary identity that increasingly eclipses political commitment and damages his alliances.
The film follows Carlos from apprenticeship in revolutionary movements through the OPEC hostage operation and subsequent downfall.
The plot foregrounds hostage-taking, international movement, weapons, vehicles, and negotiations surrounding militant actions.
Films like Carlos, and why
The Baader Meinhof Complex
political terrorism, historical crime drama, and morally complex revolutionary figures
Munich
international espionage, ideological violence, and immersive historical realism
O.J.: Made in America
procedural true-crime intensity, political radicalism, and long-form character deterioration
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
stylized historical crime filmmaking centered on a charismatic, destructive antihero
Movie Details
- Director
- Olivier Assayas
- Release Date
- 2010-07-07
- Runtime
- 339 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (247)
Cast
- Edgar Ramírez
- Alexander Scheer
- Nora Waldstätten
- Talal Jurdi
- Christoph Bach
- Julia Hummer
- Ahmad Kaabour
- Fadi Abi Samra
- Rodney El Haddad
- Antoine Balabane
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- AMC+ Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Carlos about?
- An expansive political crime drama traces a charismatic revolutionary’s transformation into an international terrorist and the unraveling of his legend.
- What is Carlos like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Carlos as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Carlos violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Carlos as graphic.
- What did critics think of Carlos?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s commanding lead performance, ambitious historical scope, and immersive political detail, while finding its length demanding.
- Which films are like Carlos?
- Films with a similar feel include The Baader Meinhof Complex, Munich, O.J.: Made in America, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
- How long is Carlos?
- Carlos runs 339 minutes.
- Where can I watch Carlos?
- In United States, Carlos streams on AMC+ Amazon Channel.
