Savages Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

This Summer, love gets savage.

Amy Renner

Last modified: Sep. 2, 2012

Savages

Release Date: Friday, July 6, 2012 Limited

Director: Oliver Stone

Starring: Benicio Del Toro • Aaron Johnson • Taylor Kitsch • Salma Hayek • Blake Lively

R Crime 2 hrs, 11 m

3.42 / 5.0

80% WILL SEE 20% WON'T SEE

Rent or buy

Plot – What's the story about?

Plot: Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Aaron Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Taylor Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run alucrative, homegrown industry—raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Blake Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Salma Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Benicio Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon—with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (John Travolta)—wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.

Crime Drama Thriller Adaptation

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Who stars in Savages – Cast List

Benicio Del Toro
... Lado

One Battle After Another, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Aaron Johnson
... Ben

Kick-Ass, The Avengers: Age of Ultron
Taylor Kitsch
... Chon

John Carter, American Primeval (Limited Series)
Salma Hayek
... Elena

House of Gucci, Grown Ups
Blake Lively
... Ophelia

Side Effects, It Ends with Us
John Travolta
... Dennis

High Rollers, Wild Hogs 2: Bachelor Ride
Uma Thurman
... Paqu

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair , The King of Kings
Emile Hirsch
Lone Survivor, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
D
Demian Bichir
... Alex

Black Phone 2, Land
J
Joel David Moore
... Computer Expert

Avatar: Fire and Ash, Avatar 4
Mia Maestro
... Lado's Wife

Grassland, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Who is making Savages – Crew List

A look at Savages behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Oliver Stone last helmed Nuclear Now and Snowden. The film's writer Don Winslow last penned Satori.

Director: Oliver Stone
Screenwriters: Don Winslow
Oliver Stone
Shane Salerno
Producers: Moritz Borman
Eric Kopeloff
Oliver Stone

Studios: Universal Pictures
Production Company: Ixtlan Productions
Universal Pictures

Production – What we know about the Savages

Key Facts

Based on Don Winslow's best-selling crime novel that was named one of The New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2010.

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Apr 2012

Completed

Changed Savages movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Jan 2012

Post-Production

Changed the movie production status to Post-Production. The movie is now in the editing and finishing stages.

Jul 2011

Production

Changed the movie production status to Production. The movie is currently being filmed.

Feb 2011

Pre-Production

Changed the movie production status to Pre-Production. Shooting will begin June 2011.

Mar 2010

Announced

Changed the movie production status to Announced. Preparations are underway to start production.

Have updates about Savages? We'd love to hear from you!

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Additional Information

Parent Rating: R Restricted for strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use and language throughout
Runtime: 2 hrs, 11 m
Tagline: This Summer, love gets savage.
Also known as: Not available
Language: English

Savages Trailers and Clips

Theatrical Trailer

TV Spot #1

TV Spot #2

Video Clip: 'Kidnapped'

Savages

Restricted Video Clip

Savages

Featurette: 'Meet Chon'

Savages

Featurette: 'Meet Lado'

Savages Release Date: When was the film released?

Savages was released in limited movie theaters on Friday, July 6 , 2012. The film was released in approximately 2,800 theaters. There were six other movies released on the same date, including The Magic of Belle Isle, Crazy Eyes and China Heavyweight. As a limited release, Savages was shown in select movie theaters in major markets.

Savages DVD & Blu-ray Release Date

Savages is scheduled to be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Friday, October 23, 2012. Availability may vary by region. Pre-order your copy of Savages today on Amazon.

In Movie Theaters

2012-07-06
Limited

United States

With Streaming Subscription

No subscription streaming options are available yet. Check Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, or Paramount+ for future updates.

On DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Release

2012-10-23
DVD
2012-11-13
Blu-ray
2013-01
DVD

Estimated DVD Release Date

Buy or Rent Digitally (Ultra HD)

No digital purchase or rental options are available yet.

Q&A: Asked about Savages

What song is played in the trailer? Jun. 19, 2012

Answer question

The songs featured in the Savages trailer include: "I Gotta Rokk" by DJ Shadow (Irn Mnky Swagger remix), "Break Loose by Gramatik and "Till I Collapse" by Eminem (featuring Nate Dogg).

Jun. 20, 2012