Airbag (1997)
A riotous Spanish crime comedy about three friends, a lost wedding ring, and a gang war that spirals gloriously out of control.
Airbag - Movie Information
- Original Title: Airbag
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Juanma Bajo Ulloa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Action, Crime, Thriller
- Runtime: 2h 5m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 20, 1997 (Spain - 18), June 20, 1997 (United States), November 27, 1998 (Brazil), August 27, 1999 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Airbag - Jetzt knallt's richtig! (DE), Airbag: un viaje de locura (MX), Airbarg - Uma Viagem de Loucura (BR), Въздушна възглавница (BG), Подушка з дурманом (UA), Poduszka powietrzna (PL), Airbag - Tre uomini e un casino (IT), Подушка с дурманом (RU)
- Production Companies: Road Movies Dritte Produktionen, ARD Degeto, Virgin Vision, MGN Filmes, Marea Films, Asegarce Zinema, Canal+, TVE, EiTB
- Production Countries: France, Germany, Portugal, Spain
Airbag - Plot
Mommy's boy Juantxo is engaged. Dragged to the party by his friends Konradin and Paco, he loses his expensive wedding ring inside the body of a prostitute. Mafioso whorehouse owner Villambrosa finds the ring. Meanwhile Villambrosa's rival gangster Souza sends femme fatale Fatima to check things out. Juantxo and his friends are trying to get the ring back and in the process get involved in the war between gangs.
Airbag - Trailer
See the chaos unfold in the official trailer for this anarchic Spanish comedy.
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Airbag - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Juanma Bajo Ulloa
Main Cast
- Fernando Guillén Cuervo
- Karra Elejalde
- Alberto San Juan
- Karlos Arguiñano
- Manuel Manquiña
- Maria de Medeiros
- Francisco Rabal
- Rosa María Sardà
- Luis Cuenca
- Pilar Bardem
Writers
- Fernando Guillén Cuervo
- Karra Elejalde
- Juanma Bajo Ulloa
Airbag - FAQs
What is Airbag about?
Airbag follows Juantxo, a soon-to-be-married mama's boy who loses his expensive wedding ring inside a prostitute during a wild night out with friends. Recovering it drags the trio into a full-blown gang war between two ruthless crime bosses, leading to one absurd, escalating catastrophe after another.
Who are the main actors in Airbag?
The film stars Karra Elejalde as the hapless Juantxo, Fernando Guillén Cuervo as his smooth-talking friend Konradín, and Alberto San Juan as Pako. They're joined by Maria de Medeiros as the femme fatale Fátima, Francisco Rabal as the menacing Villambrosa, and Pilar Bardem as La Herme.
Who directed Airbag and who wrote it?
Juanma Bajo Ulloa directed Airbag, building on the critical acclaim he earned with his earlier film Butterfly Wings. The screenplay was a collaborative effort, co-written by Bajo Ulloa alongside lead actors Fernando Guillén Cuervo and Karra Elejalde, giving the film a distinctly personal and anarchic comedic energy.
Is Airbag based on a true story?
No, Airbag is not based on a true story. It's an entirely original, wildly fictional comedy conceived by director Juanma Bajo Ulloa together with actors Fernando Guillén Cuervo and Karra Elejalde. The film leans heavily into absurdist humor and outrageous situations rather than any real-world events or characters.
How was Airbag received by Spanish audiences and critics?
Airbag was a massive commercial hit in Spain, becoming one of the highest-grossing Spanish films of 1997 and earning roughly €8 million at the box office against a €3.35 million budget. Critics were more divided, praising its anarchic energy and ensemble cast while some found its relentless pace exhausting.
What genre is Airbag and what is its tone?
Airbag blends comedy, action, crime, and thriller elements into a fast-paced, irreverent romp. Its tone is deliberately absurdist and anarchic — think escalating chaos, outrageous characters, and dark humor colliding at full speed. It sits comfortably alongside the tradition of wild road-trip comedies with a distinctly Spanish flavor.
How long is Airbag and when was it released?
Airbag runs for 2 hours and 5 minutes. It premiered in Spain on June 20, 1997, and was released the same day in the United States. It later opened in Brazil in November 1998 and in Italy in August 1999, finding audiences across Europe and Latin America.
What are some movies similar to Airbag?
If you enjoy Airbag's chaotic comedy and crime-fueled misadventures, you might also like Step Brothers, The 'Burbs, or Young Guns for their anarchic ensemble energy. For more recent picks in a similar spirit, The Gentleman (2025) and The Killer (2024) offer stylish crime-comedy thrills worth checking out.
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