Torrente (franchise)
| Torrente | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Santiago Segura |
| Original work | Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law (1998) |
| Years | 1998–present |
| Print publications | |
| Graphic novel(s) |
|
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) |
|
| Games | |
| Video game(s) |
|
Torrente is a Spanish dark comedy-action film franchise created, written, and directed by Santiago Segura. It follows the adventures of José Luis Torrente, a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and fascist former police agent, performed by Segura himself. The film series features numerous celebrity cameos.
The first Torrente film released in 1998 became the highest-grossing Spanish film of all time in Spain, later surpassed by its first sequel released in 2001; leading to a third (2005), fourth (2011), fifth (2014), and sixth (2026) films. The franchise has yielded also two video games: Torrente (2003) and Torrente 3: The Protector (2005); two graphic novels by Enric Rebollo: Torrente y el descubrimiento de América (2013) and Torrente y el Cid (2014); and a slot machine.
Films
Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law (1998)
José Luis Torrente is a lazy, rude, drunkard, sexist, racist, right-wing ex-policeman turned fake cop who lives in a decrepit apartment in a slum neighbourhood in Madrid with his father, whose disability checks are Torrente's only real income.
This film released on 13 March 1998 was nominated for three Goya Awards at the 13th Goya Awards, winning two: Santiago Segura the Best New Director award, and Tony Leblanc the Best Supporting Actor award; with Javier Cámara being nominated for Best New Actor.[1] The film became the highest-grossing Spanish film of all time in Spain since box office records began in 1965.[2]
Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella (2001)
Torrente has moved to Marbella, where, after being wiped out of the money he had gained, he has returned to private investigation.
The film's song "Semos diferentes" by Joaquín Sabina was nominated for the Goya Award for Best Original Song at the 16th Goya Awards.[3] The film released on 30 March 2001 became the highest-grossing Spanish film of all time in Spain, surpassing the first film.[4]
Torrente 3: el protector (2005)
Torrente became a private bodyguard who has to protect MEP Giannina Ricci, famous for her fight against polluting companies.
The film, released on 30 September 2005, is a parody of the American film The Bodyguard, which was directed by Mick Jackson and starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. The film became the highest-grossing Spanish film of the year in Spain.[5]
Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis (2011)
Torrente becomes a security guard, getting into a lot of trouble.
The film was released on 9 March 2011 in 3D. The film became the highest-grossing film of the year in Spain.[6]
Torrente 5: Operación Eurovegas (2014)
Torrente decides to rob a casino together with the help of a bunch of incompetent people.
The film, released on 3 October 2014, was inspired in the failed Eurovegas hotel-casino project.[7] Antonio Molina and Ferran Piquer were nominated for the Goya Award for Best Special Effects at the 29th Goya Awards.[8]
Torrente for President (2026)
Torrente bids for president of the government of Spain.
The film was released on 13 March 2026.
Video games
Torrente (2003)
Torrente is a 2003 video game from O~3 Entertainment. It is based on the first two films.[9]
Torrente 3: The Protector (2005)
Torrente 3: The Protector is a 2005 video game based in the third film.[10]
Graphic novels
The franchise has yielded two original graphic novels by Enric Rebollo: Torrente y el descubrimiento de América (2013) and Torrente y el Cid (2014).[11]
The third film in the franchise, Torrente 3: el protector, was also adapted in 2005 into a comic of the same name by Mónica & Beatriz.
Cast and characters
This section includes characters who have appeared in as the main characters in the franchise.
- An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film.
- V indicates a voice-only role.
- Y indicates a younger version of the character.
| Characters | Films | Video games | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law | Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella | Torrente 3: el protector | Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis | Torrente 5: Operación Eurovegas | Torrente for President | Torrente | Torrente 3: The Protector | |
| 1998 | 2001 | 2005 | 2011 | 2014 | 2026 | 2003 | 2005 | |
| José Luis Torrente | Santiago Segura | Santiago Segura Eduardo GarcíaY |
Santiago Segura | Santiago SeguraV | ||||
| Rafael "Rafi" Jiménez Valera | Javier Cámara | Javier Cámara | ||||||
| Amparito | Neus Asensi | Neus Asensi | ||||||
| Spinelli | José Luis Moreno | José Luis Moreno | ||||||
| Felipe Torrente | Tony Leblanc | |||||||
| Antoñito | Cañita Brava | Cañita Brava | ||||||
| Cuco | Gabino Diego | Julián López | Gabino Diego | |||||
| Mauricio Torrente | Tony Leblanc | |||||||
| Manolito Barragán | Señor Barragán | |||||||
| Josito | José Mota | |||||||
| Juan Francisco Solís | Javier Gutiérrez | Javier GutiérrezV | ||||||
| Pepito Torrente | Carlos Latre | |||||||
| Julito "Rinrín" | Kiko Rivera | Kiko Rivera | ||||||
| Gregorio Torrente | Tony Leblanc | |||||||
| Cuadrado | Fernando Esteso | |||||||
| Jesusín | Jesulín de Ubrique | |||||||
| John Marshall | Alec Baldwin | |||||||
Cameos
The film series features numerous cameos from celebrities, such as: Javier Bardem, Jorge Sanz, Carlos Moyá, Diego el Cigala, John Landis, Oliver Stone, Guillermo del Toro, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres, Belén Esteban, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Agüero, Cesc Fàbregas, and Sergio Ramos.
Accolades
| Category | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Goya Awards | 16th Goya Awards | 29th Goya Awards | |
| Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law[1] | Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella[3] | Torrente 5: Operación Eurovegas[8] | |
| New Director | Won[a] | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Won[b] | ||
| Best New Actor | Nominated[c] | ||
| Best Original Song | Nominated[d] | ||
| Best Special Effects | Nominated[e] | ||
Notes
- ^ Laureate: Santiago Segura.
- ^ Laureate: Tony Leblanc as Felipe Torrente.
- ^ Nominee: Javier Cámara as Rafael "Rafi" Jiménez Valera.
- ^ Nominee: "Semos diferentes" by Joaquín Sabina.
- ^ Nominee: Antonio Molina and Ferran Piquer.
References
- ^ a b "Estas son las nominaciones de los Premios Goya 1999". Goya Awards (in Spanish).
- ^ Groves, Don (26 April 2001). "U.K. reads 'Diary,' but o'seas lacks hop". Variety. p. 12. Retrieved 13 March 2026 – via The Free Library.
- ^ a b "Estas son las nominaciones de los Premios Goya 2002". Goya Awards (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Las 30 películas españolas más taquilleras de la historia". Fotogramas (in Spanish). 3 August 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Largometrajes con mayor recaudación". Ministry of Culture (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Largometrajes con mayor recaudación". Ministry of Culture (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Costa, Jordi (2 July 2014). "Torrente 5: Operación Eurovegas". Fotogramas (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Estas son las nominaciones de los Premios Goya 2015". Goya Awards (in Spanish).
- ^ Blevins, Tal (19 May 2012). "Torrente". IGN. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Torrente 3". Diario AS (in Spanish). 1 July 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Sáiz, Pablo (5 November 2013). "Enric Rebollo: 'Santiago Segura no nos puso ninguna traba con el cómic de Torrente'". Diario de Burgos (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 March 2026.