Rambo: Last Blood

Rambo: Last Blood (2019) – A Bloody Epilogue to an Iconic Saga

Rambo: Last Blood, released in 2019, marks the fifth and final installment in the long-running action series that began with First Blood in 1982. Directed by Adrian Grünberg and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, the film attempts to close the book on the life of John Rambo, a character who has become a cinematic symbol of war trauma, rage, and survival.

The film finds Rambo living in relative peace on his late father's horse ranch in Arizona, battling the lingering effects of PTSD. He lives with Maria Beltran and her granddaughter, Gabriela, whom he treats like his own family. This fragile life is shattered when Gabriela travels to Mexico in search of her biological father and is kidnapped by a sex-trafficking cartel.

After Rambo discovers her fate, he crosses into Mexico and confronts the cartel. Severely beaten and left for dead, he is rescued by a journalist named Carmen, who has been investigating the same criminals. Rambo eventually locates Gabriela and rescues her, but she dies from the abuse she endured, triggering Rambo’s transformation from protective guardian to avenging force.

The second half of the film is a brutal, blood-soaked revenge story. Rambo prepares his property for a final confrontation by digging elaborate tunnels beneath the ranch and setting deadly traps. When the cartel arrives, he lures them in and eliminates them one by one using explosives, booby traps, and a variety of homemade weapons. The climax is particularly gruesome, ending with Rambo confronting the cartel leader and literally cutting out his heart.

Visually, Last Blood maintains the gritty aesthetic of previous entries. The cinematography contrasts the peaceful desert ranch with the dark, chaotic violence that unfolds. The action scenes are graphic, visceral, and relentless, leaning into the over-the-top violence the series has become known for.

Thematically, the film continues to explore Rambo’s struggle with violence and peace. His desire for a quiet life is always overshadowed by the darkness he carries inside. The death of Gabriela is not just a plot device—it reignites the trauma that has haunted him since Vietnam. The film ends ambiguously, with a wounded Rambo sitting on his porch, contemplating his life. Some interpret this as his death; others see it as yet another survival.

Despite being financially successful—with a worldwide gross of over $90 million—Rambo: Last Blood received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Many criticized the film for its simplistic plot, lack of character development, and stereotypical portrayal of Mexican characters. However, fans of the franchise appreciated its raw intensity and the return of Stallone in one of his most iconic roles.

In the end, Rambo: Last Blood offers a violent, emotional, and polarizing finale to a legendary series. It may not have the nuance of First Blood, but it delivers the kind of brutal justice and personal reckoning that has always defined the character. Whether viewed as a satisfying conclusion or a misstep, it ensures that John Rambo exits the screen as he entered it—scarred, relentless, and unforgettable.