Transpecos Trailer (2016)

Trailer for the SXSW hit Transpecos, starring Johnny Simmons, Gabriel Luna and Clifton Collins Jr.

Depicting corruption as unavoidable as the desert heat, Transpecos is a tense thriller that puts the audience in the shoes of three border patrol agents who man a check point on a remote highway. Rookie Davis (Johnny Simmons) and seasoned Flores (Gabriel Luna) work with the callous, world-weary Hobbs (Clifton Collins Jr) to round out the trio. On what feels like another routine stop, the contents of one car will throw their lives out of control. As dark secrets are revealed, each passing hour will bring them closer to a nightmarish conclusion that could cost them their lives, in a world where the line between right and wrong shifts like the desert itself.

Transpecos premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival and, after receiving tons of gushing reviews, was quickly picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Films for distribution. The film was constantly described as "nail biting" and ended up walking away from the festival with audience award for Narrative Feature.

If you had any doubt on what sort of genre this film might be, the trailer for Transpecos slams home the whole crime element right off the bat. What kicks off with a murder, we are then introduced to our collection of lead characters, another crime in progress, and the culminating event that sets the film's story in motion.

The preview then shows a few plot elements while explaining why Benjamin, as played by Johnny Simmons, is aiding a drug smuggling operation as a border agent. And, speaking of Johnny Simmons, holy cow is he hard to recognizable in this film. Doing much er, softer films where he typically plays a goof, it is a refreshing change to see the actor looking a whole bunch more grown up.

As an added selling point, Samuel Goldwyn is sure to point out some of the critical acclaim the film has received, though it's probably overkill considering that Transpecos looks like one helluva well-polished thriller.