Savages (2012 film)

Savages is a 2012 American crime thriller film directed by Oliver Stone, based on Don Winslow's 2010 novel of the same name. The screenplay was written by Shane Salerno, Winslow, and Stone. The film stars Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Benicio del Toro, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, and Demián Bichir.

The plot revolves around two Laguna Beach marijuana growers, Ben (Taylor Kitsch), a botanist and entrepreneur, and Chon (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), a former Navy SEAL and war veteran. They share a girlfriend, Ophelia "O" Sage (Blake Lively), and run a lucrative and highly potent marijuana business.

Their idyllic lives are disrupted when a Mexican drug cartel, led by Elena "La Reina" Sánchez (Salma Hayek), demands a partnership, essentially wanting a piece of their operation. When Ben and Chon refuse, Elena orchestrates the kidnapping of O to force their compliance. The film then follows Ben and Chon's efforts to rescue O, navigating the treacherous world of drug trafficking and violence, using their unique skills and resources to fight back against the cartel.

The film explores themes of power, greed, morality, love, and the brutality of the drug trade. It received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising the performances of some actors (particularly Del Toro and Hayek) but criticizing the plot's complexity and the overall tone. Savages garnered attention for its violent content and depiction of the drug war, as well as its stylistic choices by Oliver Stone.