Mean Tricks 1992
Veteran FBI agent Hornsby trades in his badge for the humid streets of South America in Umberto Lenzi's gritty 1992 crime thriller Mean Tricks.
Director: Umberto Lenzi
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mean Tricks (1992) about?
Mean Tricks follows retired FBI agent Hornsby as he travels to South America to reunite with his former partner Mendoza, only to arrive just after Mendoza is murdered. Forced to team up with a local cop, Hornsby uncovers a web of deceit that implicates far more than just Mendoza's death.
Who directed Mean Tricks?
Mean Tricks was directed by Umberto Lenzi, the Italian filmmaker known for his diverse genre work ranging from giallo to crime and action films.
Who stars in Mean Tricks?
The film stars Charles Napier as Hornsby, along with Stefano Sabelli, Iris Peynado, David Brandon, and Bettina Giovannini in key roles.
Is Mean Tricks (1992) worth watching?
While not widely rated on IMDb, Mean Tricks delivers a tight, stylish crime thriller with gritty atmosphere and solid performances—especially from Charles Napier as the hardened ex-agent. Fans of '80s-style action with a noir edge will likely find it a satisfying late-night watch.
How long is Mean Tricks?
Mean Tricks runs for 116 minutes, packing its sun-soaked conspiracy and shootouts into just under two hours.
About Mean Tricks (1992) — A retired FBI agent's brutal quest for justice in the tropics
Veteran FBI agent Hornsby trades in his badge for the humid streets of South America in Umberto Lenzi's gritty 1992 crime thriller Mean Tricks. Fresh off retirement, he tracks down his old partner Mendoza only to arrive moments too late—Mendoza is gunned down in his own home, leaving Hornsby with searing questions and a simmering vendetta. Teaming up with the skeptical local cop Rodriguez, Hornsby wades into a labyrinth of corruption and betrayal where every ally could be a foe and every clue feels like a trap. Lenzi crafts a sun-scorched neo-noir that pulses with tension, blending personal revenge with the rot of institutional failure.
When the layers of Mendoza's past begin to peel back, Hornsby uncovers a conspiracy that reaches farther than he ever imagined—one that demands he confront his own legacy as a lawman. Shot through with sun-bleached locales and morally ambiguous choices, Mean Tricks delivers a pulpy, hard-edged ride that lingers like the aftertaste of cheap whiskey and cigarette smoke.