On the Road

Directed by David Pablos

Mexico

2025

94 mins

Unclassified 18+

A smouldering romance ignites between two Mexican drug dealers while evading cartels and the law in this gay-love thriller. Venice Queer Lion Winner, produced by Diego Luna.

Down on his luck drifter and sex worker Veneno (Victor Prieto) moves from one pitstop to the next, hustling for a quick buck or pushing stock. Swindled one too many times, he accepts protection from an older truck driver Muñeco (Osvaldo Sanchez) for a cut of his sales. What begins as a transactional relationship in time blossoms into an unlikely romance as they ride the highs of sex and selling drugs on the road. But when an unfortunate altercation goes awry, gears shift into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Award-winning Mexican writer-director David Pablos (The Chosen Ones, Dance of the 41) delivers a raw, genre blend that is not only dark and gruesome but surprisingly tender and vulnerable.

Please note: Flexipasses cannot be redeemed on Special Events (including ‘Back by Popular Demand’ screenings)

“It’s a fluorescent netherworld of highwayside diners, cantinas and grimy sex dens, characterized equally by brutish hyper-masculinity and gruffly tacit queer yearning.”

Guy Lodge, Variety

“… Amid all the lust, violence, blood and other bodily fluids, Pablos has crafted a deeply felt romance about two men who passionately find each other in a very dark place.”

Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter

“It’s a fluorescent netherworld of highwayside diners, cantinas and grimy sex dens, characterized equally by brutish hyper-masculinity and gruffly tacit queer yearning.”

Guy Lodge, Variety

Tickets

Wed 3 June 2026, 8:45pm

Past Event

Dendy Newtown - Cinema 2

Wed 10 June 2026, 8:30pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 11

Event George St - Cinema 11

Fri 19 June 2026, 6pm

Past Event

Ritz Cinemas Randwick - Cinema 3

Ritz Randwick - Cinema 3

See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Program Strand
Features, Back by Popular Demand
Original Title
EN EL CAMINO
Year
2025
Classification
Unclassified 18+
Country
Mexico
Language
In Spanish with English subtitles
Director
David Pablos
Producer
Inna Payán, Luis Salinas, Diego Luna, Enrique Nava
Cast
Victor Miguel Prieto, Osvaldo Sánchez
Screenwriter
David Pablos
Cinematographer
Ximena Amann
Editor
Jonathan Pellicer, Paulina del Paso
Composer
Andrea Balency-Béarn
Genre
Award Winner, Romance, LGBTQIA+ Films, Thriller & Crime, Central & South America
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Company Credits
Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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